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.
Artisans at the "thuong rang bo meng” festival in Lac Son district in 2024.
At the start of each year, festivals in the four major Muong regions including Bi, Vang, Thang, and Dong, featuring lively singing competitions and performances. Notably, the 2023 Khai Ha Festival in Muong Bi in Tan Lac district spotlighted "hat dup giao duyen” as a key event, attracting hundreds of artists and drawing significant community engagement. Similar activities are planned for the 2024 Khai Ha Festival and other cultural events like the traditional fishing festival in Lo Son.
In Muong Vang in Lac Son district, Muong singing remains a cherished cultural expression, enriching festivals, communal celebrations, and even tourist activities. Numerous local singing clubs actively perform and collaborate with counterparts from other regions, further fostering cultural exchange. In November 2024, Lac Son hosted its first "thuong rang bo meng” festival, gathering over 300 artists from across the region.
According to Bui Thi Tham, Director of the Centre for Culture - Sports and Communications, the festival provided a platform for artists to share their talent and celebrate the Muong identity, while creating opportunities for cultural learning and exchange.
Distinguished cultural researcher and artist Bui Huy Vong emphasised the rich poetic themes of Muong singing, which range from love and greetings to festivals and agriculture. Performances often reflect deep knowledge and improvisational skills, blending traditional melodies with heartfelt lyrics. Efforts to preserve Muong singing have gained momentum, with the art form becoming increasingly popular in both traditional and modern contexts.
In 2023, it was among two cultural traditions nominated for recognition as national intangible cultural heritage. These initiatives aim to ensure the enduring legacy of Muong culture, fostering pride and cultural continuity for future generations.
Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.
The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.
Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.
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