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

Chieng Chau commune preserves heritage tree

Ever-resonating Dong Son drums of Hoa Binh

Mo Muong - unique cultural heritage of Muong people

Unique traits of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh

---

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

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.

Exploring Hoa Binh Culture

The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.

Promoting Hoa Binh cultural heritage values: Part 2 - Rich cultural heritage in Vietnam’s northwest gateway

Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.

Receiving the certificate of the historical and cultural site at the provincial level for Sau Communal House, Thanh Cao Commune

The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.

Motivation for community to enhance cultural heritage preservation

Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.

A journey through time: Exploring rich history, formation of Hoa Binh province: Article 1: Major features of Hoa Binh province formation

Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.