Hoa Binh, a gateway to the Northwestern region, is home to six main ethnic groups, namely Muong, Kinh, Tay, Thai, Dao and Mong, of whom the Muong people account for about 64%. In recent years, with the efforts of Party committees and administrations at all levels and ethnic minorities, the province has achieved encouraging results in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.
Traditional festivals in the province are organised
to contribute to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic
groups. Photo taken at Ke Pagoda Festival in Phu Vinh commune (Tan Lac
district).
The preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage
values of the ethnic groups has been given special attention by Party
committees and administrations at all levels. The province has issued a lot of
directive documents, including Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 11, 2021
of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board on preserving and promoting
the cultural heritage values of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province for the 2021
– 2025 period, with a vision to 2030.
Quach Thi Kieu, Director of the provincial Department of
Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that the highlight of the work is that the
province has carried out a programme to conduct a general inventory of all intangible
cultural heritage of local ethnic groups. Up to now, the whole province has 786
intangible cultural heritage pieces, including: language, writing, folk
literature, folk performing arts, traditional crafts, social customs and
belief. It owns five national intangible cultural heritages: Mo Muong, Muong
Gong Art, Muong bamboo calendar folk knowledge, Khai Ha traditional festival of
Muong people, and Keng Loong social customs and the belief of Thai people in
Mai Chau district.
On September 8, 2016, the provincial People's Committee
issued Decision No. 2295/QD-UBND on approving the Muong handwritings of Hoa
Binh province. The provincial People's Committee issued Decision No.
1349/QD-UBND, dated June 8, 2019 approving a project on teaching and learning the
Muong ethnic language in the province for the 2018 – 2025 period, with a vision
to 2035. The Department of Education and Training has organised training
courses to build a contingent of experts to teach the Muong language.
In addition, implementing a project to preserve traditional
costumes of the ethnic groups, localities, agencies and units have had many
solutions to encourage officials, members and people to wear traditional
costumes on holidays and anniversaries, and encourage students to wear traditional
costumes in flag-raising ceremonies, and cultural and artistic activities.
Established in 2013, Chieng Chau Brocade Weaving and Service Cooperative (Chieng Chau Commune, Mai Chau) now has 21 members and around 80 additional employees outside the cooperative working on orders. After overcoming many challenges, the cooperative has gradually asserted its position in the market, providing the stable jobs for many Thai ethnic women in the commune. Recently, with the dedication and determination, these Thai women have continuously innovated and worked hard to preserve their traditional craft, bringing culturally rich products to both domestic and international tourists.
With his love for traditional musical instruments, at the age of over 60, artisan Hoang Van Vien, Gieng Xa hamlet, Cu Yen commune (Luong Son), still maintains his passion and enthusiasm. He actively participates in performing folk songs and dances, and teaches Muong gongs to younger generations with a desire to preserve and promote traditional cultural values.
The Provincial People's Committee Office issued the Official Document No. 9958/VPUBND-NVK on October 15th, 2024, regarding the adjustment of certain contents in the plan for organizing the Week of the 2024 Culture - Tourism of Hoa Binh province.
The northern province of Hoa Binh has paid much attention to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of ethnic minority groups in recent years. A new point in its preservation efforts is to build "living museums" in each ethnic communities, promoting endogenous strength to preserve and promote the value of cultural heritage.
Having applied himself to researching and preserving traditional culture, Meritorious Artisan Bui Huy Vong in Huong Nhuong commune, Lac Son district, has won high regard from many people for his dedication to the Muong ethnic culture.
Hang Kia and Pa Co communes of Mai Chau district are home to a large number of Mong people, who are known for the traditional craft of brocade weaving - an essence of their ethnic group.