About 20 km far from the center of Tan Lac district, Lo Son is a remote commune with the difficult economic conditions of the district. To get to the fair, people are busy preparing when it is dawn, the night dew is still on the leaves and the grass and the sun is still deep in the mountain. Following the trails on the mountainside, the main road is paved with asphalt to the vacant land in the center of the commune. From the early morning, Lo Son fair is crowded with people.

The commune’s fair is filled with the local culture. People bring there the things that the family can produce by themselves or raise or collect in the forests such as bamboo shoots, forest vegetables, Doi seeds, pigs, chickens and also the cakes often called "Husband-wife cake”, a traditional cake of Muong ethnic people. The fair is also an opportunity for small businesses to bring goods such as hoes, shovels, knives, blankets, mats, pillows, curtains, household items ...from the plains to serve the needs of the mountainous people.

People going to the market are very diverse. They are those of all ages, from the baby chasing the mother to the elderly with the cuffed back, the gray hair and the mouth chewing the betel-nut. Although the fair is very bustling, it seems that they rarely charge high prices for an item and the buyer never gives the item back. As they consider it as an exchange item to get to know each other, the seller does not charge high prices, the buyer does not pay for the price. Goods displayed are also extremely simple. Sometimes, they are displayed on banana leaves, sacks, raincoats, tarpaulins or in baskets, pots ... The kiosks are also set up simply.They use bamboo, cork, corrugated iron or covered roof ...

Lo Son fair is a miniature picture, showing the traditional culture of Muong ethnic people in Lo Son commune and the neighboring communes. Although life is growing day by day, the fair still remains a distinct culture making a good impression for those who come there once. It makes them remember and love the land of gratitude.

Related Topics

Lo Son commune’s traditional stream fishing festival

Hoa Binh - The land of epics and legends

Truong Kha temple festival 2025

Women's clothing of ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh

---

Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

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, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

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.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

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.

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.