(VOVworld) – The “National Unity and Vietnamese Cultural Heritages” week is being held at the Culture and Tourism Village in Hanoi. From November 15 to 23, a wide range of activities will feature the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and enhanced national unity.

A performance at the Tourism-Culture village in Dong Mo, Hanoi

The “National Unity and Vietnamese Cultural Heritages” have drawn representatives of the Thai and Kho Mu from Dien Bien province, the Ta Oi from Thua Thien – Hue, the Cham from Binh Dinh, the M’Nong from Dak Lak, the San Chay from Bac Giang, the Kinh, Hoa, and Khmer from Can Tho, and the Kinh from Tra Vinh and Hanoi.

Since it began, in 2012, national unity week has become an important get-together of 54 ethnic groups. Various activities have been organized to revitalize unique rites and festivals and honor intangible and tangible cultural values of ethnic groups.

This year’s highlights are performances re-enacting festivals and worship ceremonies, such as the Praying for rain rituals of the Kho Mu and the Cham, the AzaKooh festival praying for a bumper crop of the Ta Oi, the wedding ceremony of the San Chay, the hair-washing festival of the Thai, and the rain worshiping of the M’Nong. Nguyen Dang Chuong, Head of the Performing Arts Department, said: “We’re promoting the core cultural values of ethnic groups, which are maintained by the local people. Local art troupes have preserved and introduced cultural characteristics of their groups.”

The “National Unity – Cultural Heritages” Week promotes national unity and exchanges among ethnic groups. Nguyen Trong Thanh is a member of the Bac Giang troupe. “I’ve watched performances featuring cultural values and customs of other groups. This is an opportunity to promote unity among ethnic groups and preserve our cultures.”