10,000 hands connected: A Vietnamese record from the heart of the Northwest

6.5km fist: A record from the heart

On January 2, 2026, Muong Lay Ward (Dien Bien) witnessed a historical and cultural moment: Nearly 10,000 people performed the community dance together on a route of more than 6.5km, aiming to establish the Vietnamese record for the largest "Solidarity Dance". The event is within the framework of the XI Muong Lay Ward Swallowtail Boat Racing Festival, creating a unique cultural highlight for the early days of Binh Ngo spring.

The space of the "dance of solidarity" stretches from the area of the Mechanical Bridge - Nam Can, along the provincial road 142, crossing the field of Mo village, connecting the villages of North 1 and North 2 and then closing the circle to the starting point. Along the route along the Da River, activities are organized continuously, harmonizing between traditional festival elements and modern urban beauty.

From cadres, civil servants, armed forces to students, union members and a large number of people of all ethnic groups - all hold hands, perform rhythmic and unified movements throughout the journey. The dance is built on the basis of inheriting traditional cultural values, honoring the spirit of solidarity and attachment between 19 ethnic groups in the Northwest land.

The Xoe circle dance plays a significant role in preserving the traditional dance forms and communal rhythms of the ethnic communities in Đien Bien

Traditional fire ring by Mo field

Not only stopping at impressive numbers, the vitality of the event also lies in the authentic cultural moments. At the paragliding landing site in Mo village, a community circle of about 300 people was organized in combination with the traditional bonfire ceremony - a familiar cultural activity of the Thai, Hmong, Dao and highland ethnic minorities.

The light of the fire flickered in the middle of the spring night, the sound of singing and laughter blended in a smooth dance. It is a warm and bustling exchange space, where the boundaries between performers and audiences are blurred. Anyone - whether a local or a visitor from far away - can immerse themselves in that cultural flow, feel the pulse of the community.

The Xoe circle dance plays an important role in preserving the traditional dance forms and community performances of the ethnic groups in Đien Bien province.

Records are more than just numbers

"Dance of solidarity on the Da Giang River" not only aims to set a Vietnamese record in scale, but also has a profound meaning in preserving and spreading the art of dance and community dance of the Northwest ethnic groups. Thereby, the image of the land and people of Muong Lay continues to be widely promoted - a Dien Bien that is gradually affirming its role of culture in consolidating the great unity of the whole nation, serving the goal of socio-economic development associated with the preservation of traditional identity.

There are records that are measured by metrics. But there are also records that are recorded by memory, with emotions and with pride. "Dance of solidarity on the Da Giang river" is one of them. Because behind the number 10,000, there are 10,000 hearts with the same beat, the desire to preserve the soul of culture and the belief in a community that is always "hand in hand" to continue the journey ahead.

Local residents take part in the communal solidarity Xoe dance.