Hoa Binh museum diversifies activities in preserving, promoting heritage values

3/11/2025 - 6:20:13 PM

With flexibilities in preserving heritage in recent years, the Museum of Hoa Binh province has contributed to preserving and promoting the diverse historical and cultural values of the ethnic minority groups in the province.

An exhibition organised by the Hoa Binh Museum promotes local cultral heritage to domestic and international visitors.

Located next to the provincial culture centre, the museum arranges an exhibition area on the first floor, making it convenient for residents and tourists to visit and learn.

Dinh Xuan Hau, who was born and grown up in Hoa Binh city and currently lives in Hanoi, said that when he visits the museum, he is impressed by the artifacts and documents displayed there such as ceramics items, Muong gongs, and bronze drums. They are arranged reasonably, which is convenient for people to follow.

Nguyen Thi Hai Ly, Deputy Director of the museum, said the museum continually seeks solutions to attract people to visit, study, and learn, particularly thematic exhibitions. In 2024, it organised three fixed and mobile thematic exhibitions to celebrate major national holidays and provincial events, such as the thematic exhibition "Hoa Binh's Military and People with the Dien Bien Phu Victory" at the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, with over 150 documents and images to recall the glorious historical tradition of the Vietnamese nation and the contributions of the Party Committee and the people of all ethnic groups in Hoa Binh during the resistance against French colonialism and the historic Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954.

Another thematic exhibition "President Ho Chi Minh and Hoa Binh Province," was held at the revolutionary historical site where President Ho Chi Minh visited the Kim Boi district Party Committee, celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Kim Boi district Party Committee (April 17, 1959 - 2024) and the 60th anniversary of President Ho's visit to Kim Boi (September 19, 1964 - 2024) with over 60 artifacts, images, and documents.

The thematic exhibition "Sacred Objects of the Muong Land" was held at the museum to celebrate Vietnam's Cultural Heritage Day on November 23, aiming to showcase the collection of ancient bronze drums and Muong gongs. It helped affirm that Muong ethnic culture is always preserved and promoted in the course of building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity.

The museum also effectively manages heritage sites in the province.

In addition, it opened an exhibition themed "Truong Sa and Hoang Sa belong to Vietnam and historical evidence".

The museum has issued documents related to the inventory of intangible cultural heritage, organised training for inventorying intangible cultural heritage in Hoa Binh city and Lac Son district for cultural-social officials and artisans knowledgeable about the heritage, and conducted the inventory of cultural heritage in the province. They also organised a conference to report on the results of the inventory of intangible cultural heritage in Yen Thuy and Lac Son districts, and Hoa Binh city.

Last year, it welcomed 18,500 visitors.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

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.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

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 – National intangible cultural heritage

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.

Chieng Chau commune preserves heritage tree

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.

Ever-resonating Dong Son drums of Hoa Binh

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 Muong - unique cultural heritage of Muong people

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.