The announcement was made by Tran Van Long, director of the provincial department of culture, sports and tourism, at a press briefing in Hanoi on March 10.

Mr Long said around 15,000 people are expected to take part in the event’s activities, including performances, exhibitions, traditional rituals, costume shows and folk games.

More than 1,000 people will perform a Xoe dance – a traditional dance of the Thai ethnic group – in hopes of setting a Vietnamese record.

A tour guide contest, a seminar on tourism development in the northwestern region and a trade fair will be held during the festival. At the fair, regional handicrafts, costumes and specialties will be showcased in 200-250 stands.

The festival aims to preserve the different cultural identities of ethnic groups and promote the potential for tourism in the northwestern region.