The ninth Vietnam–Laos–China “con” throwing festival is underway in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, aiming to preserve traditional culture while promoting cross-border solidarity and mutual understanding among the three countries.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the festival.

A con is a colourful fabric ball thrown at a bamboo hoop as part of a folk game traditionally played during festivals and New Year holidays by Thai ethnic communities. The game has been adopted by people living in border areas of Vietnam, Laos and China.

The festival aims to strengthen solidarity, friendship and expand cooperation and people-to-people exchange between the three countries' border localities.

It offers border localities from the three countries the chance to strengthen exchanges, showcase distinctive traditions and promote cooperation in tourism and contribute to building a peaceful, stable, friendly and cooperative border area for sustainable development.

In his opening remarks, Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Minh Phu stressed that the con throwing game is a long-standing traditional cultural practice of ethnic communities in north-western Vietnam, northern Laos and south-western China.

The game symbolises community cohesion, faith and aspirations for a prosperous and happy life among people in these regions.

At the opening ceremony on December 19, delegates, residents and visitors enjoyed a special art performance that was elaborately staged, with the image of the con ball serving as the central creative motif throughout.

Through music and performance, the programme depicted the enduring bonds among ethnic communities along border areas, where traditional values have been preserved and passed down through generations.

The festival is hosted on a rotating basis by border localities of the three countries. This year’s edition, which will last until December 21, features an array of cultural and sporting activities, with the participation of Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces of Vietnam, Phongsaly province of Laos, and Jiangcheng County of Pu’er City in China’s Yunnan province.

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