Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.

Dedicated
artisans like meritorious artist Bui Tien Xo from Vinh Tien commune (Kim Boi
district) pass on their passion for Muong cultural heritage to younger
generations.
For centuries, the sound of gongs has accompanied important
Muong ceremonies including new year blessings, weddings, funerals, traditional
communal hunts, house-building, and inaugurations. The rhythms of the gongs
help shape the atmosphere like festive, solemn, joyful, or mournful and serve
as a communication tool to announce urgent events like natural disasters or
family mourning.
Gongs are also used to inspire unity and morale, and once
symbolised authority and power, especially in the hands of local chieftains.
Played in structured patterns, Muong gongs produce unique, resonant melodies
that stir deep emotions.
To the Muong people, gongs are sacred family heirlooms, passed
down through generations. According to local authorities, there are over 11,000
gongs across the province, concentrated in the four major Muong regions,
including Bi (Tan Lac), Vang (Lac Son), Thang (Cao Phong), and Dong (Kim Boi)
and other districts like Luong Son, Da Bac, and Hoa Binh city.
In recent years, the province has taken steps to preserve and
promote gong culture. Numerous gong clubs have been established, and passionate
individuals such as Bui Ngoc Thuan (Cao Phong), Bui Huy Vong (Lac Son), and
others have devoted themselves to researching, teaching, and reviving
traditional gong practices for younger generations.
Muong gong culture remains vibrant, featured in major festivals
such as the Khai Ha festival, fish-catching rituals, new year blessings,
weddings, harvest celebrations, military conscription days, and national unity
days. Iconic gong piecessuch as "Welcoming Guests,” "On the Road,” and "White
and Yellow Flowers”, are being embraced by youth. Researchers have now recorded
50 traditional gong melodies.
Hoa Binh’s gongs have also gained national and international
recognition. A 1,500-performer gong ensemble at the province’s 125th
anniversary in 2011 set a Vietnamese Guinness record. In 2016, 2,000 artisans
performed in another record-setting event. Most recently, at the 2022 "Hoa Binh
– Sounds of Muong” carnival, over 200 performers showcased this living
tradition.
Recognised
as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Muong gongs are not only a proud
cultural symbol of Hoa Binh but also a valuable tourism asset, contributing to
the province’s socioeconomic development and cultural identity.
The clothing of women reflects the culture of the Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong ethnic groups in the northern province of Hoa Binh.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.