(HBO) - Xoe dancing originates from the working life, the customs and the traditions of the people. Ong Bong Xoe dancing (fanning) is a form of the ancient dance with simple movements. Everyone holds the hands and dance around the bonfire in the "cheering" and "ho huay" lyrics after hunting or celebrating a new home...

The team of Xoe dancing in Mai Chau Ecolodge resort, Na Phon commune (Mai Chau) is performing to serve the tourists.

Xoe after the gongs: hanging the drum and the gong under the head of the houses on the stilt, 1 or 2 guys beat the drum and the gong, dancing. For Xoe Vong dancing (swinging) boys and girls hold hands to form a circle to dance on the floor or in the yard, moving the clockwise on the occasion of the family’s or community’s good news.

Xoe dancing is not only culture and customs but it is also the identity, the lifestyle and the habits. Above all, Xoe dancing is an indispensable spiritual dish of the Thai ethnic people. Xoe dances of Thai ethnic people in Mai Chau have been preserved and developed over the time. Today, Xoe dances have been modified and more attractive than they used to be. Xoe dances have had more movements with beautiful costumes. For example, women are wearing colorful brocade scarves across the neck or holding a fan, holding a music to create funny sounds.

Currently, Mai Chau district preserves and promotes Xoe dancing of Thai ethnic people through the local cultural and artistic activities. There are 183 mass performance teams in the whole district to serve the district's political duties. The unique Xoe dances have also performed at the major events of the province. The mass performance teams have been established in every village of Thai ethnic people. Every day, the folk artists contribute their heart and soul to the traditional Xoe dance, which is the core of preserving, maintaining and developing Xoe art in the community.

In addition, in order to preserve Xoe dances of Thai ethnic people, the Party Committee and the authorities of Mai Chau district have associated the development of Xoe arts with the development of the community tourism. The villages of the community tourism of Thai people have set up a professional Xoe dancing club to perform for the tourists. 

Typically, there are 6 Xoe dancing teams in Lac village, there are 2 Xoe dancing teams in Van village, there are 3 Xoe dancing teams in Pom Coong village. There are from 12 to 13 people in each Xoe dancing team. The graceful and funny movements of Xoe dancing create a magical attraction for the tourists whenever they pay a visit, experience and explore the culture of Thai ethnic people in Mai Chau.

Mr. Ha Cong Hoi, the homestay owner in Lac village, Chieng Chau commune says: Tourists coming to Lac village love to see Xoe dancing and participate in the dance. In the feeling of many tourists, coming to Mai Chau without being immersed in passionate Xoe dances with the charming Thai girls, the trip is not complete. 

Grasping the psychology of the tourists along with the desire to preserve the cultural identity of the Thai ethnic group, the tourism households like my family often invite the professional Xoe dancing team to perform. When the night falls, the fire flickers with the hilarious sound of gongs and drums, Thai boys and girls and the tourists are immersed in Xoe dancing. The bigger the drum and gong sound is, the bigger is the circle of Xoe dancing. Everyone's hand in hand, regardless of the owner and the guests, they are happy to take part in Xoe dancing. Just like that, the circle of Xoe dancing like a string connecting people together.


Related Topics


Hoa Binh province preserves and promotes Muong singing values

Once a vibrant part of the daily life for the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh province, traditional Muong singing styles such as "thuong rang bo meng” and "hat dup giao duyen” had faded over time. Today, local authorities and communities are working to restore and celebrate this cultural art form, recognising its value in preserving the group’s heritage.

Vibrant Gau Tao Festival of Mong community

Gau Tao Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals of the Mong ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district was held at the Pa Co stadium in Pa Co commune on January 11.

Mysterious ancient engravings in valley of My Thanh commune

The ancient stone engravings dating back thousands of years in Suoi Co valley in My Thanh commune, Lac Son district, used to astonished domestic archaeologists. What their meaning is and what message they convey are the questions to which scientists are seeking answers.

Hoa Binh works hard on cultural value preservation

Preserving and promoting unique cultural identities of ethnic communities in Hoa Binh province is considered a crucial task amid in the international integration trend.

Muong cultural heritage museum contributes to sustainable tourism development

More than just a cultural and historical attraction, the Muong Cultural Heritage Museum is playing a vital role in fostering sustainable tourism in the Northwestern region of Vietnam, particularly in Hoa Binh province. It stands as a model for the emerging trend of "responsible tourism," cleverly blending the preservation of cultural heritage with community economic development, raising awareness of Muong ethnic cultural values while promoting green tourism and sustainable growth.

Efforts made to preserve Muong people’s “Bi doi” instrument

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on December 24 organised a conference to report on the results of collecting, researching, restoring, and preserving "Bi doi”, a musical instrument of the airophonic family and a traditional instrument of the Muong ethnic people in Da Bac district.