Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The archaeological site of the Vanh village stone
shelter in Yen Phu commune, Lac Son district, designated as a special national
relic, is an epitome of the Hoa Binh Civilisation and an invaluable tourism
resource.
Home to nearly 900,000 people, Hoa Binh is
predominantly populated by ethnic minorities, who make up 74.31% of residents,
mostly Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong. The Muong, long-time inhabitants, have
crafted a rich legacy of tangible and intangible heritage, enriching Vietnam’s
diverse cultural landscape.
A 2021 provincial inventory catalogued 786
intangible cultural heritage elements across seven categories: language,
script, folk literature, folk performing arts, social customs, traditional
crafts, and folk knowledge. Hoa Binh claims five nationally recognised cultural
heritage elements. Among its 115 State-recognised relic sites, the Trai hamlet
cave and the Vanh village stone shelter – archaeological gems in Lac Son
district, are special national relics, alongside 39 national and 75 provincial
relics. Hundreds of other sites await classification.
Distinctive cultural assets such as traditional
festivals, folk performances, beliefs, and social customs imbued with ethnic
minorities' cultural identities form a crucial resource for developing Hoa
Binh’s cultural industries and local cultural landscape. Local authorities and
communities have ramped up preservation efforts, yielding notable progress.
Director of the Department of Culture, Sports
and Tourism Quach Thi Kieu highlighted the province’s success in safeguarding
its diverse tangible and intangible cultural heritage. These efforts have helped
deepen cultural values and power socio-economic growth.
She noted that cultural heritage has become a
catalyst for progress, contributing to Vietnam’s goal of building an advanced
and national identity-rich culture vital to national development and defence.
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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