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senting the structure of the universe; the
highest level at the center of the temple
represents Mount Meru, the home of the
Hindu gods, with the five towers on the
highest level represent the five peaks of
the mountain. The broad moat around
the complex represents the oceans that
surround the world. The mysterious
beauty of the blazing red Champa tower
is equally enchanting.
“We aim to hold activities led by
ethnic groups at least once a month,”
says Nguyen Dinh Loi, vice chairman of
management board of Vinaculto.
Thanh Ha, a freelance photogra-
pher in Hanoi is very excited to attend
events at the centre: “I have travelled
to remote areas many times and visited
the homes of ethnic peoples, however,
it is not easy to choose right time to
witness or even take part in the local
festivals and rites.”
When there is an event and ethnic
people of some groups are invited to
the village, the landscape is infused
with new life. The local people flood
into the village with colourful clothes
with impressive handmade designs.
They sing folk songs and dance, spread-
ing the customs of their homeland.
They are all excited and create a vi-
brant, festive ambience.
Ha clearly remembers the bride col-
lecting ceremony she saw here. She
recalls how she joined with beautiful
bridesmaids wearing traditional red
fabric flower necklaces while the happy
bride and groom took wine from their
parents before entering the house.
They each brought one pink band of
fabric to represent a long, happy life to-
gether. “The happy atmosphere of the
wedding made me totally forget that I
was still so close to Hanoi,” Ha says.
Many other exciting festivals and
events have taken place here, such
as the Gau Tao spring festival of the
H’mong people; fire dancing; a Champa
wedding; the spring praying ceremony
of the Tay people; and the mang flower
offing ceremony of the La Ha people.
“Many Korean, Japanese and Tai-
wanese investors have shown interest
in the project, but both sides have not
yet reached a common agreement on
investment for many reasons, including
price fluctuations,” Loi says.
The whole project may not be
complete, but for now, the ethnic vil-
lage continues to operate and please
the crowds.
A wedding ceremony of Red Dzao people
Cham towers, such as those found in central
Vietnam, have been rebuilt in the village