Amid an atmosphere imbued with friendship and solidarity among ethnic communities in the border areas of Viet Nam, Lao PDR, and China, the opening ceremony of the 9th Viet Nam – Lao PDR – China “Con Throwing” Festival 2025 was held on the evening of December 19th in Dien Bien Phu Ward, Dien Bien Province.

Delegates cut the ribbon to open the Festival.

Attending the opening ceremony were Comrade Tran Quoc Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and former Secretary of the Dien Bien Provincial Party Committee; Comrade Le Thanh Do, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council; members of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee; leaders of the Provincial People’s Committee; former provincial leaders across different periods; leaders of provincial departments and agencies, along with a large number of local residents and domestic and international visitors.

In his welcoming speech, Comrade Nguyen Minh Phu, Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee and Head of the Festival Organizing Committee, stated: “Con Throwing is a long-standing traditional cultural practice of ethnic groups in Northwestern Viet Nam, Northern Lao PDR, and Southwestern China. The game symbolizes community cohesion, faith, and aspirations for a prosperous and happy life. Today, when the con ball is thrown into the sky over the borderlands, it is not merely a folk game but also a vivid symbol of solidarity, friendship, and cooperative development among the peoples of Viet Nam, Lao PDR, and China. These values have been nurtured and passed down through generations and continue to shine in the new era. We are proud to contribute to nurturing, strengthening, and expanding the traditional friendship founded by earlier generations of leaders of the three countries, namely President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and Chairman Mao Zedong.”

Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the Viet Nam – Lao PDR – China "Con Throwing" Festival.

Delegates attending the ceremony.

Vice Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Minh Phu delivers the opening speech at the Festival.

Comrade Nguyen Minh Phu further emphasized that Dien Bien Province will continue to closely coordinate with Lai Chau Province (Viet Nam), provinces in Northern Lao PDR, and Southwestern China to implement cooperation programs in infrastructure connectivity, trade development, tourism, cultural exchange, and people-to-people exchanges, thereby turning the border region into an area of peace, stability, and development.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Minh Phu presents commemorative flags to participating delegations.

The Viet Nam – Lao PDR – China Con Throwing Festival is hosted on a rotational basis by border provinces of the three countries. The 2025 Festival, hosted by Dien Bien Province, is a major cultural and political event of great significance, aimed at strengthening exchanges, cooperation, and external relations among border localities. It also provides an opportunity to introduce the distinctive traditional cultural values of ethnic groups, promote tourism potential, and enhance opportunities for cooperation and mutual understanding between authorities and people in border areas, thereby further consolidating solidarity, friendship, cooperation, and development among the peoples of the three countries.

Under the theme “Solidarity and Friendship – Deep Affection for the Borderlands – Joint Development,” the Festival takes place over three days (December 19–21, 2025) in Dien Bien Phu Ward, Dien Bien Province, featuring a wide range of rich and attractive cultural, sports, and tourism activities imbued with strong cultural identity, promising memorable experiences for residents, friends, and visitors.

The highlight of the opening night was an artistic performance program consisting of two parts: “Weaving a Brocade of Colors” and “Strengthening Solidarity – Moving Toward the Future,” comprising 13 scenes and performed by professional and amateur artists and artisans from Viet Nam, Lao PDR, and China.

Opening performance: Returning to the Festival Day.

Singing and dancing performance: Dien Bien Welcomes Friends.

The artistic program was elaborately staged and grand in scale, using the image of the con ball as the central inspiration and narrative thread throughout.

Singing and dancing performance: Come and Discover the People of Viet Nam.

Singing and dancing performance: The Song of Viet Nam – China Friendship.

Performance: Peaceful Self-Reflection – Dien Bien Welcomes the Future.

Mashup performance: Radiant Ban Flowers – Proudly Stepping into the Future.

The program harmoniously combined artistic languages of singing, dancing, and music with narration and modern technologies such as LED screens, LED mapping, sound and lighting systems, and artistic fireworks, creating a distinctive cultural space rich in ethnic identity while conveying a powerful message of connection and unity in the new era.

Through music, dance, and stage imagery, the program vividly recreated the enduring bonds among ethnic communities along the border areas, where traditional values have been passed down through generations. From the legend of Muong Thanh, the white ban flowers, and the sounds of traditional flutes echoing through the mountains, to the graceful Lao dances and Chinese folk performances, all elements blended into a rich space of cultural exchange. Against the backdrop of soaring con balls, symbols of aspirations for peace and connection, the program affirmed the steadfast solidarity and faithful friendship among the three neighboring countries.

Delegates, local residents, and domestic and international visitors join hands in the great solidarity Xoe dance.

The stage lights up with a spectacular fireworks display celebrating the success of the opening night.

The opening ceremony concluded with delegates, local residents, and domestic and international visitors joining hands in the great solidarity Xoe dance, followed by a dazzling fireworks display lighting up the sky over Dien Bien to celebrate the success of the opening night./.

Dienbien.gov.vn