The People’s Committee of Hoa Binh province held a press conference on November 5 to announce the details of its upcoming 2024 Culture-Tourism Week.
Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial
People’s Committee Nguyen Van Toan, also head of the organisinig board of the
Culture-Tourism Week, at the press conference.
The week-long celebration, scheduled for
November 15-23 in Hoa Binh city, aims at popularising the locality’s potential,
strengths, landscapes, and cultural traits. A highlight will be a ceremony on
November 16 to receive certificates recognising Xom Trai (Trai hamlet) cave and
Vanh village stone cliff as special national archaeological sites.
It will feature a wide range of activities
including a fish worshipping ceremony, lantern floating on Da diver, an art
photo exhibition, a tourism guide contest, an ethnic costume performance
festival, an agricultural forum, the second Da river fish and shrimp festival,
and sport fishing competitions.
At a press conference, Standing Vice Chairman of
the provincial People’s Committee and head of the organising board Nguyen Van
Toan underscored the significance of the culture – tourism week and asked
competent sides to enhance coordination in the communications work for the
event.
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.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
Authorities and residents of Chieng Chau commune, Mai Chau district, are making efforts to preserve and promote the historical value of a centuries-old gold apple tree (scientifically known as diospyros decandra lour), which has been recognised as a national heritage tree.
Hoa Binh is home to two types of Dong Son drums: Heger I and Heger II. These drums date back from the 4th century BC to the 5th century AD.
Mo is a term referring to a profession and cultural heritage which integrates folk beliefs with folk culture and arts. Practiced at funerals and religious rituals by the Muong ethnic people, it aims to provide spiritual comfort during significant life events such as illness and death.
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