Mong people celebrate traditional Lunar New Year

1/17/2024 - 11:02:40 PM

As usual, the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere of the Mong ethnic people in Mai Chau district is bustling at this time. Houses nestled on hillsides are filled with laughter and wishes for good luck in the new year. This year, people celebrate Tet with more excitement as their lives get better.

People in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau) prepare sheets of paper to stick around their houses, considered talismans to bless their families with good health, luck, and prosperity in the new year.

According to traditional customs, Mong people celebrate their traditional Tet one month before the national Lunar New Year holiday. That is the time when people rest after rice and corn crops have been harvested.

The family of Vang A Tenh, who lives in Thung Ang village which is about 15km from Hang Kia commune’s centre, is busy preparing wine and meat to welcome their relatives. The village has 124 households and all of them are Mong ethnic people.

This year, the family decided to slaughter a pig for Tet and prepare six trays of food for guests. The remaining pork was salted and hung in the kitchen for use later.

Last year there were only a few dishes along with some corn cakes, men men (steamed corn flour – an indispensable traditional food of the Mong ethnic people) and wine, but this year witnesses many changes because people’s living conditions have been improved. There are dozens of dishes made from pork while banh giay (round glutinous rice cake) is replaced by sticky rice.

This year, his family is much happier as they welcome many guests. In Mong people’s perception, a lot of people visiting a family on this occasion is believed to bring good fortune to the host. After a year of hard work, this is the time for people to gather, chat with each other and wish for good luck in the new year.

"A few years ago, it was difficult to raise pigs and cows and people did not dare to slaughter them,” Tenh said.

This year, his family has escaped poverty and can slaughter a pig to celebrate Tet, he said, adding that many households in the neighbourhood follow suit so it's very happy.

During the Tet holidays, children accompany their parents to visit relatives and friends. Young people in new clothes wander around the village and play traditional games. This is also an opportunity for couples to confess their love.

3.6 Billion VND Allocated to Preserve Traditional Cultural Values of Ethnic Minorities in Lạc Sơn District

As part of Project 6 under the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2024, Lạc Sơn District, Hoa Binh province focuses on diverse and practical activities to promote the project's goal: "Preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in conjunction with tourism development."

Mobilizing the power to preserve and promote the cultural heritage values

After 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 11, 2021 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoa Binh province's ethnic groups in the period of 2021 – 2025 with the orientation to 2030 (NQ04), it has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, the people from all walks of life and there have been positive changes. So far, out of the 10 targets of NQ04, 3 targets have been met and exceeded the plan set for 2025. Typically, 70% of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of ethnic groups in the province is on the list of the national ICH items and they have been protected and restored, exceeding 20% of the proposed Resolution.