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The Truong Kha temple festival, a distinctive cultural event held every three years in Vu Ban township, Lac Son district, returned recently with vibrant rituals and folk traditions of the Muong people. Located next to the Buoi River in the Muong Trao fields, the Truong Kha Temple is dedicated to the three Kun Dol deities, revered for teaching farming techniques, irrigation, weaving, and protecting the harvest.
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Locals perform the
sacred water-giving ritual at the Truong Kha Temple Festival in Vu Ban
township, Lac Son district.
The festival, which
was officially revived six years ago following its recognition as a provincial
cultural heritage site, blends ancient practices with local legends passed down
for generations.
Among the highlights is the sacred water-giving ritual, rooted in the tale of a
fatally ill man who recovered after drinking water from a stream near the
temple, now known as Vo Temple. Villagers continue to drink water from the
site, believed to be blessed, though none dare use it for washing.
Another key ritual is the traditional fish-catching ceremony on the Khoang Kha
section of the Buoi River, historically a protected zone only opened during
major festivals. The practice serves both spiritual and ecological purposes,
reflecting old customs around preserving natural resources.
The festival also features unique ceremonies such as the procession of the Kun
Dol deities, buffalo hunting, rain and harvest prayers, and the symbolic
release of fish.
The festival draws communities from across Vu Ban and neighbouring communes.
Over time, the event has grown to include cultural performances, drum and gong
ensembles, and folk games such as wrestling, diving, rafting, and traditional
Muong singing competitions.
According to Bui Thi Thi, Vice Chairwoman of Vu Ban township’s People’s
Committee, the festival not only preserves and promotes Muong heritage but also
contributes to local socio-economic development by drawing visitors and showcasing
the richness of Hoa Binh’s ethnic culture.
Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province, is widely regarded as the cultural heartland of the Muong ethnic group. Among its many traditional communities, Luy Ai hamlet (formerly Ai hamlet) stands out as a rare location where the customs and way of life of the Muong Bi people remain largely intact.
The demand for spaces serving community activities of residents in various areas across Hoa Binh city has been satisfied as local cultural houses now feature modern, spacious facilities thanks to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 49/NQ-HDND issued on December 28, 2021 by the city People's Council, which approved the plan for reorganising, converting, and allocating land for the construction, repair, and expansion of cultural houses in Hoa Binh’s villages and residential areas until 2025.
At the end of May, the Hoa Binh Provincial Ethnic Arts Troupe organized a series of performances for residents in Region 2 and Region 3 communes across the province. Bringing art to ethnic communities in remote, isolated, and especially disadvantaged areas has become a meaningful activity. These are not merely artistic performances but also journeys to disseminate cultural values, enrich spiritual life, and contribute to preserving the cultural identity of ethnic minorities.
In recent years, alongside the development of a tourism-oriented economy, the traditional brocade weaving craft of the Mong people in Pa Co Commune, Mai Chau district has been gradually preserved and promoted. It has become a unique indigenous cultural feature, contributing to improving the livelihoods of the ethnic minority community.
Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province is home to nearly 1,260 households with a population of over 5,700 people, 98% of whom are of the Muong ethnic group. Besides economic development, the commune places special emphasis on preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Muong people.
Nestled in the pristine landscapes of Cao Son commune, Da Bac district, Sung hamlet has become a community-based tourism destination known not only for its natural beauty but also for its centuries-old traditional craft - the making of do (poonah) paper by the Dao Tien ethnic group. More than just a utilitarian product, do paper serves as a vital cultural symbol of the community.
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