The Pa Then people mainly reside in Bac Quang and Quang Binh districts (Ha Giang province), as well as Lam Binh and Chiem Hoa districts (Tuyen Quang province), with a total population of over 8,200. In their spiritual beliefs, fire holds sacred meaning, it symbolizes life, prosperity, and happiness. Fire is an essential element in their daily lives and religious rituals.
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Young Pa Then ethnic men dancing with the fire |
One of the key rituals embodying this belief is the fire dancing festival, which is held to express gratitude to the deities for a bountiful harvest, a peaceful life, good health, and protection from illness. The festival also serves to educate younger generations about national traditions and strengthen community bonds.
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The fire dancing festival in Lam Binh district attracts a large number of people and visitors. |
According to Hoang Ngoc Binh, Vice Chairman of the Tan Lap Commune People’s Committee, preserving the culture of the Pa Then people is a top priority for the commune. They are developing a model cultural tourism village and working with the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies to restore traditional values and teach them to younger generations.
With over 5,500 Pa Then people living in Quang Binh district, ethnic culture is deeply rooted in everyday life, from folk songs and embroidery to traditional rituals like fire dancing, pestle pulling, and wedding ceremonies. The district sees culture as a unifying thread for the community, while also promoting handcrafted products for tourism, aiming to preserve heritage and create sustainable livelihoods.
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The fire dancing festival of Pa Then people in Hong Quang commune, Lam Binh district, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage element |
In Lam Binh district, Pa Then homestay models offer more than just a place to stay, they are immersive cultural spaces. Visitors can wear traditional costumes, cook local dishes, learn embroidery and weaving, and participate in the fire dancing festival.
In 2023, the fire dancing festival of the Pa Then people in Hong Quang commune, Lam Binh district, was once again officially recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
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Pa Then women in their traditional costume |
The merger of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang provinces to form the new Tuyen Quang province was not only an administrative shift but also an opportunity to preserve cultural heritage in a comprehensive and sustainable way. The culture of the Pa Then people stands as a vivid testament to the harmonious connection among ethnic communities and between tradition and modernity.
Translated by Quynh Oanh