Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 3

Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 3 - Reviving traditional values

3/23/2025 - 11:34:30 AM

Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.

The Keng Loong performing art of the Thai ethnic group in Mai Chau district was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage element, helping preserve and promote this heritage's values.

Between 2022 and 2024, several of Hoa Binh's cultural assets gained national recognition, with the folk knowledge of bamboo calendar, the Khai Ha festival of the Muong people, and the Keng Loong performing art of the Thai ethnic group in Mai Chau district inscribed as national intangible cultural heritage. The archaeological sites of the Trai hamlet cave and the Vanh village stone shelter in Lac Son district were classified as special national relics. Previously, two other cultural heritage elements, the Muong gong art and Mo Muong, had already been added to the national intangible cultural heritage list.

The province is now home to 45 cultural practitioners bestowed with the People’s Artisan and Meritorious Artisan titles, with ethnic minority artisans accounting for 94% of them.

Hoa Binh province has particularly focused on the project to conserve and promote the Mo Muong cultural heritage for 2019–2025 and beyond, especially since the Prime Minister ordered a dossier be built to seek UNESCO recognition of Mo Muong as part of the intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. Meanwhile, it has also accelerated efforts to collect and document intangible cultural heritage.Currently, it has submitted two dossiers to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, proposing "thuong dang" and "bo meng" singing of the Muong people and the Muong skirt waistband weaving techniques to be added to the list of the national intangible cultural heritage.

Furthermore, the province has worked to raise public awareness of local historical sites. For the archaeological sites of the Trai hamlet cave and the Vanh village stone shelter, it has directed planning and implemented conservation measures while popularising the archaeological values of the world-renowned Stone-Age Hoa Binh Civilisation. Steps are also being taken to nominate the Tien Pagoda historical - cultural relics and landscape complex in Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district, as a special national relic site.

With efforts to restore and preserve cultural identity, many traditional festivals have been revitalised, with the Muong people's Khai Ha (going down to the field) festival and the Tien Pagoda festival in Lac Thuy organised at the provincial level. Besides, more than 70 festivals are held annually, primarily folk celebrations of ethnic minority groups.

The province currently has 1,482 village-level musical teams that contribute to teaching, preserving, and bringing into play local cultural heritage.

The conversation efforts have been intensified with the groundbreaking of the Mo Muong cultural heritage conservation space connected with tourism services in Hop Phong commune, Cao Phong district, in January. Besides, the province has directed relevant sectors and localities to develop the Muong ethnic cultural space conservation and tourism development project in Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district, along with a restoration project for the Trai hamlet cave and the Vanh village stone shelter. The locality is also planning renovation for many historical and revolutionary sites.

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.