(HBO) – Hang Kia-Pa Co communes in Mai Chau district have 90 percent of their population being Mong ethnic minority people. Each year, local residents celebrate their Independence Festival from August 25 with colourful costumes and flowers decorated along streets. However, this year, due to COVID-19 pandemic, Mong people in Mai Chau have not gathered in traditional markets but celebrated the special event right at home. Amid the complicated development of the pandemic, they have been encouraged to enjoy the festival with strict implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures.
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Visitors are enjoying
Independence Festival in a Mong village in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau).
Sung A Mang, a local in Pa Co Lon hamlet of Pa Co commune said that every year
on the National Day (September 2) occasion and major events of the year, local
families often kill pigs, buffaloes and chickens to offer to their ancestors.
Prior to the main festival day, people in hamlets and villages opened joint
parties by contributing chickens, pigs, rice andenjoyed the festival
together.
However, this year, due to COVID-19, the festive atmosphere
is not the same as the previous years with massive gatherings being cancelled.
But still, Mong people are still enjoying their traditional festival with
simple but cozy family meals, while maintaining their regular production
activities.
Sung A Chua, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Pa Co said that this
year, the Independence Festival does not include entertainment and festive
activities. However, through communications, all local residents understand
that to protect the health of themselves, their families and the community,
they should join hands to prevent the pandemic from entering the locality and
maintain socio-economic development.
Currently, per capita income of Hang Kia and Pa Co has reached 13 million VND
and 15 million VND each year, respectively. As of the end of June 2021, the
ratio of poor households was brought down to 24.7 percent in Hang Kia and 22.5
percent in Pa Co. Both communes have completed 13 out of 19 criteria of a
new-style rural area. Cultural and education infrastructure in the localities
have been improved to meet new-style rural area standards, while
defence-security situation has been ensured, with reinforced political
system./.
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
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.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
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).
