MON SON LUC DA FESTIVAL – CON CUONG

Mon Son Luc Da festival takes place on the 14^th -15^th of the lunar month in the Banyan tree area of the pagoda in Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district, Nghe An province. Every year, with the theme of celebrating the establishment date of the first Party cell in the West of Nghe An which was established in 1994. Over many years of existence, the festival has increasingly affirmed its great role and effect in the present life for local people.

The festival is a cultural and spiritual activity of the Muong Qua region of Mon Son and Luc Da communes, Con Cuong district. The festival is associated with the establishment of the first Party cell in Western Nghe An in April 1931, led by Mr. Vi Van Khang as Secretary. The Party cell made a significant contribution to the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh movement and the revolutionary climax of 1930 - 1931 in the mountains of Nghe An nearly 90 years ago. The birthplace of the first Party cell in Western Nghe An was the house of Mr. Vi Van Khang, then recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a national historical and cultural relic in 1994. In 1995, the Mon Son - Luc Da festival was officially restored based on the rituals in the old traditional cultural activities of the local residents.

With the dogma "Drinking water, remembering the source" and feelings of deep respect and gratitude for the Mon Son Party Committee and people during the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh movement, on the 79^th anniversary of the establishment of the Mon Son Party cell. Many activities honoring the revolutionary tradition of the people and the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Museum took place on the land of Con Cuong.

In April 1931, the Mon Son Party cell was established. After only a short time, organizations such as the Red Farm Association, Red Self-Defense Association, and Women's Union were established, promoting the development of the people's struggle movement. On August 9^th, 1931, the Mon Son Party cell led 300 people of Thai, Dan Lai, Ly Ha and Kinh ethnic groups to participate in the demonstration. From here, the revolutionary movement in the mountainous region of western Nghe An joined the wave of struggles in the lowlands. The history of the past 90 years has affirmed the position of the Mon Son Party cell as a brilliant dot in the golden history of the Nghe An Party Committee. The revolutionary movement of the people of Mon Son during the revolutionary climax of 1930-1931 was a beautiful symbol of the brave spirit of party members and the masses who followed the Party in the struggle for national liberation.

The annual Mon Son Luc Da festival is an opportunity for the young generation, people and ethnic minorities in the Western Nghe An to remember their seniors, the outstanding children of the homeland who wholeheartedly followed the Party to make revolution, while contributing to promote the cultural identity that the people here have built and preserved over thousands of years.

After the part of ceremony is solemnly held, the part of contest takes place excitingly with many cultural and sports activities, traditional folk games such as: Cheraw dance, Con fruit throwing, volleyball, tug of war, shooting Crossbows, walking sticks, walking on stilts, culinary contests, brocade weaving contests, "Mon Son Beauty" contest.

The culinary competition takes place with many colors, imbued with the national cultural identity of 12 villages. Dishes such as: Lam rice, sticky rice dyed with forest leaves, buffalo croissants, Cheo Bon, Phia food, Phac Nung (ethnic salad), grilled Onychostoma laticeps, etc are meticulously prepared and skillfully presented, which have become fragrant flowers in the mountains and forests of the West of Nghe An, leaving a deep impression on every visitor attending the festival.