The People's Committee of Lo Son commune, Tan Lac district, has organised the local annual traditional stream fishing festival on April 19 - 20.
A vibrant musical performance opens the festival.
Crowds gather to take part in the festive celebration.
A "thay Mo” (spiritual master) performs traditional chants honouring local tutelary deities.
A raft-launching ceremony to mark the festival’s opening.
Locals join in the traditional group stream-fishing activity in Khoang Lo stream.
Local cuisine and specialty products showcased at the festival’s market stalls.
An expanded men’s volleyball tournament at the event.
The Lo Son traditional stream fishing festival takes place annually on the third lunar month. A folk festival closely associated with wet rice agriculture and bearing the imprint of ancient Vietnamese civilisation, it forms an indispensable part of the local Muong Tlo ethnic community’s culture and belief.
Known locally as the "stream fishing” or "rice weeding festival,” it marks the period after the rice has been sown and strengthened, and villagers gather to take part in communal fishing in local streams such as Khoang Bo, Khoang Lo, Khoang Tlo and Khoang Ich. Large fish caught during the event are presented as offerings, symbolising prayers for favourable weather, abundant harvests, and communal well-being.
The ceremonial segment featured traditional rituals, vibrant performances, Mo chanting, and a raft-lowering ritual to kick off the festive event. The celebratory portion of the festival was marked by a host of engaging activities, including bamboo raft races, net-casting competitions, collective stream fishing at Khoang Lo, a display of local cuisine and products, and an open men’s volleyball tournament.
This year’s festival was larger in scale, with more cultural performances, folk games, and sporting events reflecting the rich heritage of the Muong people. It serves as a platform for cultural preservation and promotion, while helping raise public awareness of protecting the water environment and aquatic ecosystems.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
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.
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