(HBO) – Tay ethnic people account for 40.57 percent of the population in Da Bac district, which is home to five ethnic groups. They reside in the communes of Muong Chieng, Dong Chum, Tan Pheo, Tan Minh and Trung Thanh.

We felt the atmosphere of the National Day when returning to Muong Chieng, which has the biggest number of Tayethnics and is described as the "mountainous centre” of Da Bac district. The National Day September 2 was an occasion for those living far away to reunite with their families. Sa Van Xuyen, a resident in Na Muoi hamlet, said: "My family has three children, including two daughters working here and a son working in Son La.All of them have their own families. My son, Hung, and his wife have to live far away because Hung has his own work while his wife is studying at Tay Bac University. Only on the occasion of major festivals my whole family reunite. My wife and I are waiting to see them on the upcoming National Day or Independence Festival.”



Xa Van Bang, a resident in Chieng Can hamlet of Muong Chieng commune (Da Bac), often hold a ritual called "Lam cham” for his family according to Tay people’s traditional custom after the Independence Festival celebration.

Bidding farewell to Xuyen, we came to Chieng Can commune to visit Xa Van Hoi, who was a driver in the southern battlefield for 13 years (from 1970 to 1983). Recalling wartime memories, Hoi said: "The 13 years I was a driver at Unit 670 of Regiment 19 were also 13 times I spent the National Day with my comrades and witnessed both pains and victories in the war. I still remember the feeling of concurrently celebrating Tet (the traditional New Year festival), standing guard and being ready to fight. It was not rare that I saw my comrades were killed by the enemy’s bullets and bombs. Those pains nurtured our undaunted and unyielding will, helping us fight for national independence.”



The team of Na Man hamlet, Muong Chieng commune (Da Bac), rehearses a singing and dancing performance imbued with the Tayculture before the celebration of the National Day September 2.

His children usually come home twice a year, on the National Day (September 2) and the Lunar New Year. Hoi said: "Whenever the Independence Festival comes, I’m eager for my children to come back to reunite with the family. To me, seeing my children gradually growing up each time we gather is the most joyful festival.”

Singing and dancing performances and sports activities like volleyball and football matches between hamlets, and communes on the occasion of the Independence Festival were always magnets for local residents.

We also witnessed Tayethnic girls’ dedication to a rehearsal before their public performance marking the National Day in Na Man hamlet of Muong Chieng commune. Xa Thi Thay, who led the hamlet’s performing team, said they were rehearsing a "xoe” dance which would be performed together with other teams in the commune. We chose this dance since it was deeply imbued with the Tayethnic group’s cultural identities, showing the community’s solidarity and love.

Aside from entertainment activities, the "Lam cham” ritual of Tay people was also practiced by many families in the Independence Festival. Xa Van Bang, a resident in Chieng Can commune, said the ritual was often organised in the eighth or ninth lunar months, but now some families hold this ritual on the September 2 occasion, when their whole families reunited.


Related Topics


All-people voluntary blood donation day, April 7th: Donating blood saves lives - giving life

Voluntary blood donation (HMTN) is a noble and humane gesture. 24 years ago, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 43/2000/QD-TTg on mobilizing and encouraging Voluntary blood donation and designated April 7 every year as "All-People Voluntary blood donation Day”. This is an important milestone in the movement of voluntary blood donation, creating a strong change in the awareness and action at all levels of the government and people from all walks of life.

Yen Thuy working to become new-style rural district

Yen Thuy is aiming to become a new-style rural district by 2025. To achieve this goal, the district has been mobilising the entire political system and local people to early fulfil required criteria.

Hoa Binh man transforms bamboo into “dragons”

From a normal bamboo tree, Nguyen Van Nam in Yen Tri commune, Yen Thuy district has transformed it into a "bamboo dragon". His works have been present in many countries.

The Public Security of Cao Phong District: Launching a model of clever civil mobilization “The Adopted Children of the Communal Police”

On March 27th, the Public Security of Cao Phong District launched the model of clever mobilization "The Adopted Children of the Communal Police” advised and implemented by the Police of the communes and the town in coordination with the Youth Communist Union and the Women’s Union of the District Police.

There are 10 communes meet new rural standards in Tan Lac distict

According to the People's Committee of Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province, by the end of 2023, Tan Lac district has 10/15 communes that meet new rural standards, with an average of 16 criteria per commune. The entire district has 14 OCOP products, including 13 3-star OCOP products and 1 4-star OCOP product; 18 model residential areas and 57 model gardens were recognized.

Popularing images of culture, people of Hoa Binh province

Hoa Binh is known as a land with a rich history and culture, one of the cradles of ancient Vietnamese people. The province is home to many ethnic groups, among which Muong people are indigenous inhabitants, sharing the same origin as the ancient Vietnamese people. The Muong people live in many northern provinces, but a majority resides in Hoa Binh province, along with famous "Hoa Binh Culture" that has created the beauty of the land and its people.