From early morning, the roads leading to the central stadium of Si Ma Cai commune, Lao Cai province, were awash with color and alive with laughter. Streams of people hurried back and forth, eager to witness the large-scale senh tien dance - a performance bringing together more than 1,000 non-professional dancers after long and meticulous preparation by the commune.

Amid the majestic mountains, the vivid colors of more than 1,000 performers in traditional brocade costumes blended with the lively sound of the senh tien, weaving a cultural tableau that left a deep impression on visitors from near and far.

The senh tien dance is a highlight of the “Si Ma Cai - Highland Charm” Festival.

Filming the most striking moments of the performance, Tran Van Thang, a visitor from Hanoi, said: “This is the first time I've seen such a captivating, eye-catching senh tien dance in person. It's a truly unique traditional art of the Mong people in Si Ma Cai that should be preserved and developed as a highlight to draw visitors.”

Seen from above, the rhythmic steps and dance lines of more than 1,000 people seemed to weave living brocade patterns. Each shade of indigo shirt and floral skirt worn by the ethnic-minority young women of Si Ma Cai became a striking accent for visitors.

Trang Thanh Truc, from Si Ma Cai commune, shared: “I've loved the senh tien dance since childhood, taught by my grandparents and parents. To prepare for today's performance I practiced hard, hoping to bring visitors from everywhere captivating, unforgettable dances when they come to Si Ma Cai.”

Only by being at the venue can one fully feel the appeal and vitality of each dance and sound. The rustic yet lively ring of the senh tien, blending with the graceful steps of a thousand people, expresses a longing to conquer a harsh natural world and a determination to preserve ethnic identity. Each turn of the coin stick is a beat connecting the community; each dance carries the faith, will and vibrant vitality of the people of the nation's borderland.

The senh tien dance carries deep meaning in preserving, passing on and honoring the fine traditional cultural values of the ethnic communities of Si Ma Cai.

Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Si Ma Cai Commune People's Committee, affirmed: “This unique event has become a highlight of this year's festival season, drawing large numbers of visitors to enjoy and experience local culture. More than a record-setting performance, it carries profound significance in preserving, passing on and honoring the fine traditional cultural values of the ethnic communities of Si Ma Cai.”

For generations, the senh tien dance has been the soul of local festivals and a way for the Mong people to express their love of labor and their aspirations for life. Setting a Vietnamese record with the dance in Si Ma Cai is not only a great honor but also an affirmation of the intrinsic value of traditional culture. Drawing large numbers of students to perform reflects the locality's outstanding success in bringing heritage into schools, awakening pride and a sense of responsibility toward ancestral culture among the younger generation.

Performers strike impressive formations during the senh tien dance.

Crowds of residents and visitors watch and cheer on the amateur performers of the senh tien dance.

Leaving Si Ma Cai, the echo of the senh tien dance still seems to resound through the mountains and forests. A record has been set, but the greater value is the love of one's roots, kindled brightly in the heart of every Si Ma Cai resident - a reminder of a richly distinctive cultural treasure to be cherished and preserved for generations to come.

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