The judges organized to score the dishes of the competing teams.

This is one of the unique activities, imbued with the culture of the ethnic groups in the Northwest, part of the program to welcome the ceremony to recognize the "Tet Xip Xi" ritual of the White Thai people in Quynh Nhai district as a national cultural heritage.National intangible cultural heritage.

Within the framework of the welcoming ceremony, the competition to display traditional dishes of "Tet Xip Xi" in Quynh Nhai district had 29 teams from communes, agencies, and schools of Quynh Nhai district.

Leaders of Son La Provincial People's Committee presented the certificate of recognition of the "Tet Xip Xi" ritual of the White Thai people in Quynh Nhai district as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The tray of food on the occasion"Xip Xi Tet"including dishes: boiled duck, grilled chicken, smoked pork, grilled fish (pa pỉnh tộp), stream snails, rock moss, black plum, vegetable salad, bon soup, sour soup, khau cam (5-color or 7-color dyed sticky rice), banh chung...

Dishes with typical spices such as Mac Khen, chili… blend together, bringing the flavor of the Northwest region. The activity has attracted many people and tourists to visit and enjoy.

The dishes prepared by the teams were very unique with dishes imbued with the identity of the ethnic minorities of the Northwest.

After a period of document preparation, on August 9, 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided to recognize the "Tet Xip Xi" ritual of the White Thai people in Quynh Nhai district, Phu Yen district, Son La province as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

“Tet Xip Xi” in Quynh Nhai district, Son La province takes place every year on the 14th day of the 7th lunar month. It is an important day for the descendants of the White Thai people to express their gratitude and remember their ancestors, and an occasion for adults to pay special attention and care to the younger generation.

Duck meat is indispensable in the feast of the White Thai people of Quynh Nhai.

"Tet Xip Xi" ofWhite ThaiQuynh Nhai also has the meaning of a review and celebration of the results of hard work in the first 6 months of a year. On this occasion, children do not have to herd buffaloes or do housework but can play and relax, eating whatever they like.

The special thing is that on the "Tet Xip Xi" day, there is always a tray of offerings to pray for luck for each individual, family, and clan in the village; pray for luck from heaven and earth, favorable rain and wind, and to bless the villagers with good health to work.

This is also an occasion for the White Thai people to hold a ceremony to pray to the gods and ancestors to bless their children with good health, good appetite, fast growth, and no illness. Offerings include: duck meat, chicken, smoked pork, sausage, grilled fish (Pa pỉnh tộp), salad with khâu căn (5-color or 7-color dyed sticky rice), and humped chung cake.

Along with black plums, moss, bamboo shoots..., the tray of offerings for the "Xip Xi" New Year of the White Thai people in Quynh Nhai also includes rock snails and crickets.

"Xip xi" Tet is often indispensable for "nhu to pet" (duck meat). The White Thai believe that ducks are closely associated with rice fields and rivers. Offering duck meat means wanting the ducks to eat all the insects that harm the rice, and that the ducks will bring bad luck and bad omens that will drift away with the water.

After the worshiping ceremony, family members gather around the table and wish each other good luck. This is also an opportunity for the White Thai community to show off their hospitality and culinary skills.

Phan Thao - Quoc Tuan