A preliminary conference to review three years of implementing the Prime Minister’s Decision on ‘Vietnam Ethnic Group Cultural Day’ (April 19) has been held during the festival, along with a conference on promoting tourism, a mountain market fair and traditional games, sports and entertainment.

This is an opportunity for ethnic minority people to review obtained results and shortcomings which need to be overcome to fully implement policy, especially policies for ethnic minority groups, and people in mountainous and remote areas, border areas and islands.

Activities during the event are designed by and for ethnic minority people and attract many people of all walks, so that ethnic minorities can directly enjoy these activities.

The festival aims to help preserve ethnic culture and popularise products and services among tourists, honour the cultures of Vietnamese ethnic groups and boost cultural exchange and national unity among ethnic minorities in Vietnam.

The highlight of the event will be a gala night featuring 13 ethnic groups from eight provinces in Vietnam, aiming to promote mutual understanding and solidarity.

This year’s festival also celebrates the 65th anniversary of the day President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter to the Congress of Southern Ethnic Minority Groups in Pleiku (19/4/1947-19/4/2012).