Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.

An art troupe of Lac village, Chieng Chau commune, practices regularly, contributing to preserving traditional culture as well as serving tourists to Mai Chau. 

Thai people have folk songs as follows:
"Without Xoe, crops cannot grow well
Without Xoe, harvest will fail
Without Xoe, flowers will become withered
Without Xoe, boys and girls cannot fall into love with each other...”

For the Thai ethnic people, Xoe dance is believed to help them forget the fatigue of daily life and foster connection. It can be performed with bare hands or with a scarf or a fan. It’s not too difficult to learn so everyone can join in. The dance also demonstrates solidarity and equality, so it has sustainable vitality and is handed down from a generation to the other.

In addition to its cultural significance, Xoe dance in Mai Chau also attracts tourists at home and abroad for its beautiful and colorful costumes. The gentle and graceful dance moves in combination with music and charming costumes of Thai women create a unique art space.

Currently, there are about 10 Xoe dance troupes in community-based tourism villages in Mai Chau such as Lac village (Chieng Chau commune) and Pom Coọng (Mai Chau town). These troupes meet the cultural and spiritual needs of the local people who want to sing together and foster cohesion in the community. This cultural aspect is also optimised by the Thai ethnic people to develop tourism, forming a unique feature of Mai Chau tourism, thus attracting a large number of visitors, generating income for the community as well as contributing to the development of cultural, tourism and economic sector of the locality.

Xoe dance is often performed at major festivals and during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays. It offers an opportunity for the elderly, children and youths to exchange within the Thai ethnic community, creating a cheerful and cohesive atmosphere.

Ha Thi Minh Tam from Chieng Chau commune said that when she was a child, she was taught about the meaning and characteristics of Xoe dance. 
 
Nowadays, Xoe dance of the Thai ethnic people in Mai Chau is also popularised on social networks, major festivals or art performances so that domestic and foreign tourists can have a better understanding and experience it as well. Xoe dance also helps young people in Mai Chau preserve and promote the nation's unique traditional culture, Tam said.

According to Ngan Van Tuan, Head of the district's Division of Culture and Information, about 60% of Mai Chau’s population are Thai ethnic people. It is necessary to incorporate activities related to the preservation of Xoe dance to tourism development, thereby enhancing the participation of community, he said, adding that this is essential for fully promoting the values of Xoe dance. 

Tuan underlined the need to organise classes to teach younger generations about Xoe dance. He also highlighted the importance of the engagement of local administrations in this regard. Xoe dance has become a tourism product in Thai ethnic-inhabited villages in Mai Chau, contributing significantly to the locality's economic and social development, he added.


Related Topics


Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

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, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

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.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

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.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

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.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

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 – National intangible cultural heritage

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.