Thousands of locals and tourism flocked to Phan Thiet city, in the south central province of Binh Thuan on September 1 to join the ‘Nghinh Ong xuat du’ ritual, a key part of the biennial Nghinh Ong (Whale Worship) festival.
At the ‘Nghinh Ong xuat du’ ritual (Photo: VNA)
Some 1,000 people masqueraded as the nation’s legends, and
processed Ong’s tablet through the streets of Nguyen Hue, Dinh Tien Hoang,
Trung Trac and Trung Nhi. Stellar dances and martial art performances were
featured during the process.
The highlight of the ritual was the performance of a 49-metre long dragon, the
longest one in Vietnam.
Various traditional rituals were revived at the event, aiming to preserve and
develop the folk culture of the Hoa ethnic community in Phan Thiet city as well
as pray for peace, favourable weather conditions, bumper crop, happiness and
prosperity.
The festival, together with four others, was chosen to serve tourism
development in the province, making contributions to popularising local images
among domestic and international friends.
This year’s event took place from August 30 to September 1.
Phan Thiet city worked to ensure social order, traffic safety, and hygiene
during the festival.
Nghing Ong or Cau Ngu festival is a cultural identity of south central coastal
localities, which has been preserved and passed down through generations. The
festival is to pray for bumper hauls of fish, safe voyages and peace for the
nation.-
Source: VNA
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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