Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province is endowed by nature with picturesque landscapes. It also boasts traditional culture and arts of local Thai, Muong, Mong, Dao ethnic minority groups to help the locality to develop tourism associated with cultural conservation and promotion.
The art of "keng loong” dance of the Thai ethnic group in Mai Chau district was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2023.
The art of folk dances and singing is an indispensable part of the ethnic minority groups’ culture. To date, ethnic dances and musical instruments still retain their values in the spiritual life of local ethnic people. The dances are restored at traditional festivals, mass cultural performances, and amateur art shows.
Khap singing artisan Ha Thi Bich in Xam Pa village shared that folk singing clubs not only bring spiritual significance and connect the community but also contribute to promoting and preserving the art of Thai ethnic’s folk singing, particularly among young generations.
Currently, Mai Chau district has 183 art groups, of which 138 teams have been established under decision of the district People's Committee. They have regularly organised exchanges and performances in communes and hamlets in the district, attracting the participation of a large number of people, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere, promoting local socio-economic development.
In order to preserve and promote folk performing arts widely, every year, the district’s culture, sports and communication centre coordinates with relevant authorities to organise cultural and sports festivals among ethnic people such as Gau Tao festival of the Mong people, Xen Muong festival of the Thai people to help bolster exchanges and strengthen solidarity among ethnic groups in the locality.
To preserve the folk arts of all ethnic groups, in addition to the attention, leadership and direction of administrations at all levels, it is necessary to have the participation of people from all walks of life in preserving and promoting the values of national culture. This not only helps preserve traditional cultural beauty, but also contributes to promoting the image of Mai Chau and its people to domestic and foreign tourists.
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 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.
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.
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