Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam

(VOVWORLD) - Living in the northern mountainous region, the Ha Nhi celebrate their Tet (New Year) festival more than two months earlier than the Kinh, the largest ethnic group in Vietnam. Let’s find out the distinctiveness in their Tet celebrations.
Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 1

The Ha Nhi live in the border communes of Ka Lang, Ta Ba, Thu Lu, and Mu Ca, in the watershed area of the Da River.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 2

Here in Lai Chau province, they still retain many distinct cultural features, including traditional Tet (New Year) which is usually celebrated in the 10th lunar month.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 3

Their Tet festival begins on the Thin day (the day of the dragon according to the lunar calendar) and ends on the Thin day in the same month, after people complete their annual crop.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 4

The Ha Nhi often slaughter pigs to celebrate Tet.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 5Pig slaughtering usually takes place on the early morning of the first Thin day, involving all family members. 
Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 6

After slaughtering pigs, the Ha Nhi offer the most delicious meat to their ancestors.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 7According to the Ha Nhi’s traditional custom, the pig’s liver is kept intact. 
Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 8

The village patriarch uses the liver to predict what would happen in the new year.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 9

If the pig liver’s colour is bright and its bile is full, a bumper rice harvest and good breeding season is anticipated in the new year.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 10

Besides pork, Banh Giay (a type of glutinous rice cake) is an indispensable offering to the ancestors.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 11

Elderly Ha Nhi people say the cakes are often made big and round, signaling a happy and lucky year ahead.

Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 12The festival offers a chance for the Ha Nhi to wear new traditional costumes. 
Early New Year celebrations of Ha Nhi ethnic people in northern Vietnam - ảnh 13

Like the Kinh, the largest ethnic group in Vietnam, the Ha Nhi hold a big party for family reunion during the Tet festival.

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