More than 2,000 artists join Xoe Thai Folk Dance Festival in Dien Bien

The event drew 14 teams from high schools, education facilities, training departments, and cultural clubs in Dien Bien Province.

Each team competed in two parts, requiring them to perform at least three folk Xoe dances as well as at least three Xoe dances which were arranged and choreographed by themselves.

The dances were accompanied by folk music and songs about Dien Bien Province.

The highlight of the festival was a mass Xoe dance which gathered more than 2,000 dancers and artists.

The art of Xoe dance of the Thai ethnic minority people in Vietnam was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO in December 2021.

“Xoe” means a dance with movements that represent human activities in rituals, cultural activities, life, and labour. Xoe is performed during ceremonies, weddings, festivals, and cultural events of the community.

Xoe reflects Thai people’s world views and their outlook on life, including the world in the heavens, on the earth, and of the gods. It also expressed people’s wishes of the help and blessings from the gods for a wealthy and peaceful life.