The song and dance performance "Son La - Hua Phan: A Bond of Friendship".Delegates attending the opening ceremony. Delegates attending the opening ceremony.

Delegates attending the opening ceremony.

 

Attending the opening ceremony were Comrade Kham Pheng Xay Som Pheng, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Hua Phan Province; and leaders of departments and agencies of Hua Phan Province.

The Sơn La Provincial delegation included: Mr. Nguyen Huu Dong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Ms. Trang Thi Xuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and Head of the Organizing Committee for the Sơn La - Hủa Phăn Cultural Tourism Festival 2024; other members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; and leaders of various departments and agencies.

The opening ceremony was also attended by representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, along with a large number of people from Sam Neua town and Hua Phan province.

Comrade Kham Pheng Xay Som Pheng delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Delivering a welcome speech at this special event, Comrade Khampeng Xay Somsompheng expressed his delight at welcoming the leaders of Son La province, the organizing committee of the "Son La - Huaphanh Tourism and Culture Festival" in 2024, as well as artists and artisans from Son La province to Hua Phan. This is an opportunity for officials and people of all ethnic groups in the two provinces to exchange and learn from each other in various fields, contributing to strengthening the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Son La and Huaphanh in particular, forever.

Comrade Nguyen Huu Dong delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Comrade Nguyen Huu Dong affirmed: The festival is one of the important activities to effectively implement foreign affairs activities in 2024; it is a practical activity demonstrating the diplomatic relations, friendship, and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, and Son La and Hua Phan in particular. It is an opportunity to connect and promote the development of tourism in Son La and Hua Phan with provinces and cities nationwide and internationally; to share and cooperate in developing unique and attractive tourism products, creating jobs and increasing income for people in the two provinces, especially in ethnic minority and border areas; and to promote exchange and cooperation in the process of international integration.

A highlight of the opening night was the artistic program themed "The Love Song of Son La - Hua Phan," performed jointly by artists and actors from Son La and Hua Phan provinces. The program featured spectacular and elaborately staged performances, celebrating the revolutionary traditions, the friendship, and the loyal and enduring bond between Son La and Hua Phan provinces in particular, and between Vietnam and Laos in general, in building and protecting their homelands. It also celebrated the unique traditions and cultural identities of the ethnic groups in both provinces, highlighting similarities and cultural and artistic exchanges; praising the beauty of the human spirit, love for their homeland; and the natural beauty, appearance, and the renewed development of both provinces and countries.

Some images from the art program with the theme "Love Song of Son La - Hua Phan"

Leaders of Son La and Hua Phan provinces presented gifts to artists and actors.

A large crowd of people came to watch and cheer.

The artistic program concluded with a circle dance of unity, a dance of solidarity, and the Lam Vong dance performed by delegates, locals, and tourists, expressing the close, enduring, and everlasting bond between Son La and Hua Phan provinces, and between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

The Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival 2024 will take place from March 21st to 23rd in Hua Phan province, featuring many unique tourism and cultural activities, such as: an exhibition of beautiful photographs showcasing the land, people, tourism potential, tourism products, cultural identity, and the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, and Son La and Hua Phan; displaying and introducing tourism products, culture, and local specialties of the two provinces; surveying tourist areas, tourist destinations, and tourism service facilities to develop Son La - Hua Phan tour packages; a conference on tourism development linkage between Son La and Hua Phan; and talks between high-level delegations from the two provinces, including the signing of a cooperation agreement for the 2024-2026 period.

 

Duy Tung

Opening Ceremony of the Son La - Hua Phan Cultural Tourism Festival (baosonla.org.vn)