(HBO) – Up to 91 percent of the households of the specially disadvantaged commune of Doc Lap in Hoa Binh city belong to the Muong ethnic minority group and 7.3 percent to the Dao. Many of their cultural identities are still preserved today as seen in their languages, customs, and daily life activities. Besides, cultural and sports activities have also greatly helped with promoting those values.
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The gong team of Noi hamlet in Doc Lap commune (Hoa
Binh city) has regularly practiced and performed at festivals and other events,
helping to honour and preserve cultural values.
Bestowed with favourable conditions for
socio-economic development in all fields, Can hamlet is also known as one of
the Muong ethnic villages with rich identity. Not only using the Muong language
in their daily life, local residents also frequently wear traditional costumes
on big events, anniversaries, and festivals.
Dinh Van Minh, Secretary of the Party cell of Can
hamlet, said locals have stayed united to assist one another in economic
development and carry out movements and campaigns, including those on
developing a civilised lifestyle, abolishing backward customs, combating
crimes, and upholding cultural identities.
A club of traditional culture was established
here, attracting a large number of local residents, he said, noting that the
gong team of the elderly and cultural teams of women and young people have
shown many unique singing, dancing, and instrumental performances.
Muong Dao, a less privileged hamlet, derives its
name from those of the two ethnic groups residing here. Among the 170 local
households, 123 are from the Muong ethnic minority group and the rest, from the
Dao.
Nguyen Dinh Tuong, Secretary of the Party cell
of Muong Dao hamlet, said Dao people are well aware of the importance of
preserving their cultural identities. likewise, Muong people also respect and
maintain their group’s traditional cultural practices.
He added that the solidarity among the local
ethnic groups could be seen via cultural and sports activities at the great
national solidarity festival held in November 2020.
The preservation of cultural identities in
mountainous Doc Lap commune has spread across the remaining hamlets of Noi,
Nua, Mui, and Song.
Vice Chairman of the communal People’s Committee
Nguyen Van Phong said every year, local authorities build and implement plans
to uphold and bring into play traditional cultural identities.
Communications have been stepped up via local
meetings and campaigns. In particular, the Doc Lap Primary and Junior High
School has organised extracurricular sessions to educate students on conserving
the Muong culture, which have engaged hundreds of teachers and students,
according to the official.
Besides, sports activities have also helped with
cultural conservation. Folk sports like cane pushing, crossbow shooting, and
stilt walking have proved attractive to local residents.
This year, due to complex developments of
COVID-19, cultural activities have been suspended since the year’s beginning to
minimise mass gatherings.
Earlier, a wide range of cultural and sports
activities were held at the great national solidarity festival in late 2020,
helping to preserve and honour cultural identities of local Muong and Dao
people./.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.
The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In the evening of March 28th, in Hoa Binh, the Department of Grassroots Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) coordinated with the provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city to organize a mobile propaganda contest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7th, 1954 - May 7th, 2024) with the theme "Returning to Dien Bien”. There ứa the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; the representatives of the leaders from a number of departments, branches and numerous veterans and Hoa Binh people.
In responding to the movement of "All people stay united to build cultural lifestyle”, over the years, Kim Boi district has conducted many practical and effective activities to promote solidarity and mutual support among the local community in sustainable poverty reduction and building cultural lifestyle and a healthy cultural environment, and maintaining national cultural identity.
