New Rice Festival of the ethnic Thai people in Vietnam

Lai Chau is the home of the ethnic Thai people, so travelling with us through motorbike tours Vietnam, you will have a chance to join many festival held by the Thai people here.

Kin Lau Khau Mau, known as Thanksgiving or New Rice Festival of the ethnic Thai people is the annual festival held by ethnic Thai to give thanks for a bumper harvest and a chance for boys and girls to meet each other. The festival is again held annually at Huoi En Village, Muong So Commune, Phong Tho District of Lai Chau.

The Thai people consider their ancestors’ blessing very important for ensuring a bumper crop. So, before harvesting, families offer rice to their ancestors, expressing their gratitude to them. The Thai people celebrate the New Rice festival when harvest time comes. This custom has been passed down from generation to generation.

The exact day of New Rice festival is not fixed. It depends on the families and clans. The new rice festival celebrates the crossroads of earth and space, and the combination of factors necessary for a good harvest. Long ago, upland rice was always used to make green rice because it kept the sweet flavour and stickiness best. Today, the amount of upland rice is limited, so local people make green rice from common sticky rice or Luong Phuong rice instead. When the rice is ripe in the field, the Thai people kill buffaloes and pigs, and cook new rice to make the offerings. After worshipping, the host presents the meal and invites neighbors to have. Only one member of each neighbor family come to join the meal, there are gifts for others.  

Besides Thai people, many other ethnic groups in the north of Vietnam also celebrate New Rice festival. However, depending on each ethnic group, organizations, the festival will be held differently but commonly, there are offerings giving ritual, new rice eating ritual…  

Joining Vietnam motorbike tours is the best way to learn more about the ethnic people’s culture. So, please contact us via email dirtbiketravel@gmail.com and we will reply you as soon as we receive your email to ask any questions for one of the best motorcycle tours Vietnam ever.