The Muong people account for over 63% of the population in Hoa Binh province. Over the time, the ethnic group has innovated and preserved its rich and diverse folk culture. Within this cultural background, there is a prominent, unique, and deeply humanistic art form known as Mo Muong.
To preserve and
promote the cultural heritage of Mo Muong, Hoa Binh province, in coordination
with other localities, is compiling a national dossier for the art to be
included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent
Safeguarding.
Mo practitioners perform rituals at the Khai ha (going down to the
field) festival of the Muong people in 2023.
Bui Van Rum, a Mo practitioner from Rom Co hamlet, Thuong Coc commune,
Lac Son district, talks about Khot, tools used in Mo Muong performance.
Mo Muong reflects the unique worldview and cosmology of the Muong ethnic group,
containing profound educational significance for the community. It is
associated with folk rituals imbued with sacred elements used in funerals or
ceremonies to wish for the best for the Muong people.
Over the time, Mo Muong has been diminished, and many traditional values of the
art are gradually fading away. Mo Muong in Hoa Binh is undergoing significant
changes, including both new and positive aspects. However, it still holds an
important position in the spiritual life of locals.
Bui Van Noi, a researcher and meritorious artisan from Phong Phu commune, Tan
Lac district, highlighted epic, art, language, moral and spiritual values of Mo
Muong.
Since 2010, the province has taken specific solutions to preserve Mo Muong,
including the establishment of five clubs in Lac Son, Tan Lac, Cao Phong, Yen
Thuy, and Kim Boi districts.
In addition, the title of people's and meritorious artisans conferred to Mo
practitioners has encouraged them to work harder to preserve and promote the
heritage values of the art.
In 2015, Hoa Binh received the sponsorship of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO
Associations for its Mo Muong. One year later, the Ministry of Culture, Sports
and Tourism issued a decision bringing it into the national intangible cultural
heritage list. In 2020, the Prime Minister ordered building a dossier for Mo
Muong to seek the UNESCO recognition.
The provincial People’s Committee issued a plan dated November 25, 2021, on
coordination in building the dossier, and established steering and organising
committees for the work.
Dr. Pham Minh Huong, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Musicology, said the
dossier has been completed and presented to competent authorities in line with
regulations, noting the inclusion is expected to facilitate the preservation
work.
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).
In the evening of March 28th, in Hoa Binh, the Department of Grassroots Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) coordinated with the provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city to organize a mobile propaganda contest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7th, 1954 - May 7th, 2024) with the theme "Returning to Dien Bien”. There ứa the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; the representatives of the leaders from a number of departments, branches and numerous veterans and Hoa Binh people.
In responding to the movement of "All people stay united to build cultural lifestyle”, over the years, Kim Boi district has conducted many practical and effective activities to promote solidarity and mutual support among the local community in sustainable poverty reduction and building cultural lifestyle and a healthy cultural environment, and maintaining national cultural identity.
Hoa Binh Pedagogical College has just held the closing ceremony of the training class and issued the certificate of the language of Muong ethnic people to the oficials, civil servants and public employees of courses I and II in 2023.
Hoa Binh is an ancient land home to limestone mountains running along the southeast direction and in parallel with Truong Son Mountain Range in the West, forming many basins and valleys with a rich diversity of fauna and flora. Humans came to reside here in the pre-historic period, creating the world-famous Hoa Binh Civilisation.
.jpg)
