(VOV) – Thousands of Cham Balamon ethnic people in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces are happily celebrating the Kate festival, one of the 15 biggest folk festivals in Vietnam.

Cham people accompany the costumes procession to Po Klaong Girai tower

The festival takes place mainly at Po Klaong Girai Tower in Phan Rang city. From the early hours of the morning, thousands of local people and visitors accompany the procession of the people in traditional Po Klaong Girai’s costumes, from Phuoc Hau commune to the tower. A festival goer says: "With support from the Party and the State, many Cham people have received gifts during the Kate festival. Young people dance to the Gi-nang drum beat. Religious dignitaries ritually open the tower’s gate, so people from all walks of life can pray to the gods for good health and bumper crops."
The Kate festival is not only a family event that fosters good neighborliness, but it gives visitors both inside and outside of Vietnam the chance to experience the special cultural features of Cham festivals.

This year’s Kate festival has been even more success as it coincides with a culture, sports, and tourism festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.