Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
An art programme to honour and spread the Muong ethnic minority group’s cultural values
Recently, the district has issued nine resolutions, including Resolution No. 08-NQ/HU dated December 20, 2021 on preserving and promoting the Muong ethnic minority group's cultural identity.
Currently, the district has 196 relic sites, including three national and 13 provincial-level sites. The relic sites have been restored to meet the spiritual and cultural demands of people, contributing to the locality’s socio-economic development.
In 2023, the district submitted a dossier to the provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for recognition of Trai cave in Tan Lap commune and stone roof of Vanh village in Yen Phu commune as special national relic sites.
The mobilisation of resources for the protection and promotion of relic values from the state budget, revenues from relics' activities and social sources have been stepped up. The activities of collecting, inventorying, preserving and displaying artifacts have made positive changes.
Bui Van Duong, Vice Chairman of the Lac Son district People's Committee, said that currently, there are nine traditional folk festivals in the area that have been restored and maintained to attract tourists. Since 2020, the district has proposed all levels submit 15 applications to the State Council. The State President conferred titles on eight artisans, including seven meritorious artisans and one people's artisan.
In the period of 2019 - 2023, the district People's committee directed relevant agencies to open more than 10 cultural heritage teaching classes on Muong gong, mo Muong, and brocade weaving, helping to preserve and promote cultural heritage values of the local Muong ethnic people in the locality.
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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