The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
The miniature Muong stilt house model with an
area of about 21sq.m, fully equipped with the Muong people’s daily necessities,
production tools, traditional musical instruments, has attracted the curiosity
of children every time they are introduced by the teacher. Every week, children
have two lessons in this space. In addition to guiding children to explore the
cultural space and daily life characteristics of the Muong people, and playing
many folk games, teachers also teach basic skills to children.
Teacher Bui Thi Linh said that each experiential
lesson at the stilt house helps children understand more about the Muong
cultural identity and develop many skills. Little girls like to wear Muong
dresses to school and practice playing gongs.
The pre-school has two facilities, with the
nearly-20-million-VND (788 USD) stilt house located at the main one in Hoi Tram
hamlet, Hung Son commune.
Principal Bui Thi Hue said that in each lesson,
teachers guide children to learn and discover the names and uses of utensils
and items for daily life and production in both Kinh and Muong languages. The
pre-school also regularly coordinates with the representative board of parents
to organise tours to hamlets for children to meet with the elderly who can
teach them Muong folk songs and stories; and visit old stilt houses.
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.