(HBO) - Mai Chau mountainous district is known as a concentrated residential area of the Thai ethnic group. Although in the modern life, it is rare to see images of people wearing traditional clothes every day, Thai culture is still permeated through words, voices, customs or the image of stilt houses, festival activities, and folk songs and dances.
‘Keng Loong’ dance performed by Thai girls in Mai
Chau to introduce and promote culture associated with tourism at the provincial
Mountainous Market in 2022.
Visiting communes such as Van Mai, Mai Ha, Mai Hich and Xam
Khoe, tourists can easily see Thai people's stilt houses following the ethnic
group's traditional architecture.
In addition to the poetic scenery, relaxing and peaceful
life and unique cuisine, the beauty of the Thai stilt house architecture has
its own charm, becoming one of the tourism products bringing great experience
to visitors when they explore and enjoy the traditional cultural space of Mai
Chau. Authorities of the hamlets, which still own many Thai stilt houses, have
paid attention to preserving cultural values to develop community-based
tourism, contributing to increasing locals' income. According to statistics,
about 80% of the Thai ethnic households live in traditional stilt houses.
Having an opportunity to attend the Great National
Solidarity Festival of residential areas in Tong Dau and Chieng Chau communes,
visitors will be fascinated by joyful Keng Loong dance which is popular in
community activities of the Thai people. Recently, on the occasion of the
provincial Mountainous Market Week in 2022, besides typical agricultural
products, district authorities increased the introduction and promotion of
ethnic cultures, especially the Thai one, through ethnic costumes, Keng Loong
performances, and traditional brocade weaving. These cultural characteristics
are also maintained by Thai people in different communes and towns. Many
community tourism villages such as:Van and Pom Coong - Mai Chau town; Lac -
Chieng Chau commune; Hich 1 - Mai Hich commune; Buoc - Xam Khoe commune; and Na
Phon and Nhot - Na Phon communes have exploited the potential of culture to
serve both domestic and international tourists.
According to Ha Thi Hoa, head of the district Culture and
Information Office, along with the awareness of preserving the Thai ethnic
cultural identity among the locals, district authorities have implemented many
measures to preserve and promote cultural values of ethnic groups, especially
linking the preservation and promotion of cultural identities with tourism
development./.
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).