(HBO) - Mai Chau is an ideal destination for tourists because of the natural scenery, people and the unique features of customs and practices of Thai and Mong ethnic groups, etc. In the past, Mai Chau tourism thrives, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists to visit and explore. To gradually affirm the position of Mai Chau tourism on Vietnam's tourism map, Mai Chau district is gradually aiming to develop high quality tourism with tourism products, service quality, etc.
Tour guides exchange professional occupation
and professional skills to improve communication skills, towards the satisfaction
of tourists. Photo taken in Hich village, Mai Hich commune (Mai Chau).
The district pays special attention to the
preservation and promotion of the ethnic cultural identity. The district
restores and organizes traditional festivals such as: the Xen Muong festival of
the Thai ethnic group, the Gau Tao festival of the Mong ethnic group, etc. The
community tourism sites must strictly implement the regulations on the
preservation of the ethnic culture, such as: keeping the stilt houses;
welcoming clothes must be national costumes; the service prices must comply
with regulations, etc.
Besides, the district is interested in
building specific tourist products. The district gradually establishes the
international, inter-provincial, inter-regional, intra-provincial,
intra-provincial and intra-regional tourist routes.
The whole district has 574 workers in tourism
field, of which there are 2 postgraduate qualifications, 48 at university
level, 50 people at college level, 68 people at intermediate level, the rest is
at high school level.
Types of accommodation in the district are
invested with full facilities. Currently, the district has 138 business and
tourist accommodation establishments, including 9 hotels, 26 motels, 103
community guesthouses. The whole district has 13 villages doing business of
community tourism activities. Some tourist sites operate effectively such as Mai Chau
Ecolodge (Na Phon commune), Mai Chau Villlas (Mai Hich commune), Lac village
(Chieng Chau commune), etc. The tourist spots attract a large number of domestic and
international visitors. In 2018, Mai Chau tourism has welcomed nearly 332,000
visitors to visit and explore (increasing 7,464 visitors compared to 2017),
including 132,500 international visitors, 199,500 domestic tourists. The total
revenue from tourism reached 107.6 billion VND (increasing 18 billion VND
compared to 2017).
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
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.
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