Along with the activities of Project 6 - the national target programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas for the 2021 – 2026 period, efforts to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in Lac Son district have received additional momentum.
A love duet singing contest at a singing festival in Lac Son district in 2024.
Lac Son district’s authority has hosted the first Thuong Rang and Bo Meng, and love duet singing festival in November 2024, attracting over 300 artisans from communes, towns and Muong folk song clubs.
Bui Thi Tanh, a member of the Muong folk song club in Dinh Cu commune, said that the festival offered an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences in preserving and promoting the national cultural identity.
Building on the success of the festival, the district organised a training programme and competitions in "Danh mang” (folk game) of the Muong people, "Sec bua" ritual, and Muong gong performance, creating a joyful atmosphere during the festival.
According to Bui Thi Tham, Director of the district Culture, Sports and Communication Centre, "Thuong rang bo meng” and love duet singing, Muong gong performance, and "Danh mang” are typical cultural heritages of the Muong people in the Muong Vang area.
In recent years, local authorities have regularly paid attention to implementing solutions to preserve and promote traditional cultural identity of the locality through creating spaces and practice environments in festivals; great national solidarity festivals; and art, cultural and sports competitions at the grassroots level, Tham said.
The generations of artisans are encouraged to promote their role as heritage keepers, and actively pass it on to the next generations, Tham said, adding that with the support of Project 6, the contents and activities are systematically and attractively built, attracting a large number of artisans and locals, contributing to spreading the love for the nation, and preserving good customs and practices, and the cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Comrade Bui Van Duong, Vice Chairman of Lac Son district People's Committee, said that the district focuses on restoring and organising traditional Muong ethnic festivals; establishing and maintaining the operation of traditional culture preservation clubs at the grassroots level; and investing in upgrading, repairing, and embellishing relic sites.
Through the support of Project 6, the district Party Committee and People's Committee organised a gathering for artisans, researchers, collectors, composers, and those involving in traditional cultural preservation; and opened classes to raise public awareness of cultural heritages at risk of being lost.
Attention has been paid to conducting inventories, documentation, and classification of heritage types for research activities, Duong added.
In 2024, through Project 6, 50 ethnic minority-inhabited hamlets in the district have been supported to purchase equipment for communal houses; restore, preserve, and promote traditional cultural identities of ethnic minorities; continue to survey, collect and document heritage; preserve traditional festivals; develop policies for assisting artisans; and build traditional culture models, typical tourism areas, contributing to preserving heritage, satisfying the demand for cultural enjoyment in the community.
The clothing of women reflects the culture of the Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong ethnic groups in the northern province of Hoa Binh.
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.
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.
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