As usual, the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere of the Mong ethnic people in Mai Chau district is bustling at this time. Houses nestled on hillsides are filled with laughter and wishes for good luck in the new year. This year, people celebrate Tet with more excitement as their lives get better.
People in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau)
prepare sheets of paper to stick around their houses, considered talismans to
bless their families with good health, luck, and prosperity in the new year.
According to traditional customs, Mong people celebrate
their traditional Tet one month before the national Lunar New Year holiday.
That is the time when people rest after rice and corn crops have been
harvested.
The family of Vang A Tenh, who lives in Thung Ang village
which is about 15km from Hang Kia commune’s centre, is busy preparing wine and
meat to welcome their relatives. The village has 124 households and all of them
are Mong ethnic people.
This year, the family decided to slaughter a pig for Tet and
prepare six trays of food for guests. The remaining pork was salted and hung in
the kitchen for use later.
Last year there were only a few dishes along with some corn
cakes, men men (steamed corn flour – an indispensable traditional food of the
Mong ethnic people) and wine, but this year witnesses many changes because
people’s living conditions have been improved. There are dozens of dishes made
from pork while banh giay (round glutinous rice cake) is replaced by sticky
rice.
This year, his family is much happier as they welcome many
guests. In Mong people’s perception, a lot of people visiting a family on this
occasion is believed to bring good fortune to the host. After a year of hard
work, this is the time for people to gather, chat with each other and wish for
good luck in the new year.
"A few years ago, it was difficult to raise pigs and cows
and people did not dare to slaughter them,” Tenh said.
This year, his family has escaped poverty and can slaughter
a pig to celebrate Tet, he said, adding that many households in the
neighbourhood follow suit so it's very happy.
During the Tet holidays, children accompany their parents to
visit relatives and friends. Young people in new clothes wander around the
village and play traditional games. This is also an opportunity for couples to
confess their love.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.
The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In the evening of March 28th, in Hoa Binh, the Department of Grassroots Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) coordinated with the provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city to organize a mobile propaganda contest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7th, 1954 - May 7th, 2024) with the theme "Returning to Dien Bien”. There ứa the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; the representatives of the leaders from a number of departments, branches and numerous veterans and Hoa Binh people.
In responding to the movement of "All people stay united to build cultural lifestyle”, over the years, Kim Boi district has conducted many practical and effective activities to promote solidarity and mutual support among the local community in sustainable poverty reduction and building cultural lifestyle and a healthy cultural environment, and maintaining national cultural identity.