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