The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
The miniature Muong stilt house model with an
area of about 21sq.m, fully equipped with the Muong people’s daily necessities,
production tools, traditional musical instruments, has attracted the curiosity
of children every time they are introduced by the teacher. Every week, children
have two lessons in this space. In addition to guiding children to explore the
cultural space and daily life characteristics of the Muong people, and playing
many folk games, teachers also teach basic skills to children.
Teacher Bui Thi Linh said that each experiential
lesson at the stilt house helps children understand more about the Muong
cultural identity and develop many skills. Little girls like to wear Muong
dresses to school and practice playing gongs.
The pre-school has two facilities, with the
nearly-20-million-VND (788 USD) stilt house located at the main one in Hoi Tram
hamlet, Hung Son commune.
Principal Bui Thi Hue said that in each lesson,
teachers guide children to learn and discover the names and uses of utensils
and items for daily life and production in both Kinh and Muong languages. The
pre-school also regularly coordinates with the representative board of parents
to organise tours to hamlets for children to meet with the elderly who can
teach them Muong folk songs and stories; and visit old stilt houses.
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.