On the morning of February 1, 2025 (the fourth day of the Lunar New Year), the Lac Thuy district People’s Committee hosted the opening of the Tien pagoda festival. Attending the event were alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Phi Long, permanent Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Commtitee Bui Duc Hinh.
Provincial, district leaders and
delegates offer incense at 2025 Tien pagoda festival in Lac Thuy district.
Vice Secretary of the district Party Committee and Chairman of the
district People’s Committee Nguyen Van Hai beats the drum to kick off 2025 Tien
pagoda festival.
A palanquin procession at the opening ceremony.
A lion and dragon dance performance at the opening ceremony.
At the heart of the festival lies the Tien Pagoda Cave Complex, a national
relic site recognised in 2011 with 21 distinct historical, cultural, scenic and
archaeological sites, each holding unique historical and cultural significance.
In 2025, the festival continues at the provincial level, spanning from January
31- February 2 with an array of cultural, sports, and folk activities, along
with traditional art performances such as lion and dragon dances, worship of
Mother Goddesses of ThreeRealms at Trinh and Mau temples and Tien pagoda,
and folk musical instrument playing, Muong gong, folk and Chau Van singing.
A music show at the opening of Tien pagoda festival in Lac Thuy district.
Visitors enjoy bamboo pole dancing and watching lion dance performances
at the festival.
Visitors take a ride on the cable car at Tien pagoda.
Sport activities draw a large number of locals and tourists to watch and
cheer.
The annual festival aims to instill a deep sense of patriotism, national pride,
and love for the homeland among all social classes, especially the youth. This
year, the newly operational Huong Binh cable car project offers a scenic
connection between Tien, Huong and Tam Chuc pagodas, significantly reducing
travel time for locals and tourists alike.
Through various festivities, residents and visitors can deeply appreciate the
strong influence of traditional cultural values in spiritual life, fostering a
positive mindset at the outset of the new year. The festival also encourages
people of all backgrounds to enthusiastically engage in labour, production and
studies to achieve 2025 socio-economic development goals, contributing to
realising the Resolution of the 17th provincial Party Congress and the 25th
district Party Congress.
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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