Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province is endowed by nature with picturesque landscapes. It also boasts traditional culture and arts of local Thai, Muong, Mong, Dao ethnic minority groups to help the locality to develop tourism associated with cultural conservation and promotion.
The art of "keng loong” dance of the Thai ethnic group in Mai Chau district was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2023.
The art of folk dances and singing is an indispensable part of the ethnic minority groups’ culture. To date, ethnic dances and musical instruments still retain their values in the spiritual life of local ethnic people. The dances are restored at traditional festivals, mass cultural performances, and amateur art shows.
Khap singing artisan Ha Thi Bich in Xam Pa village shared that folk singing clubs not only bring spiritual significance and connect the community but also contribute to promoting and preserving the art of Thai ethnic’s folk singing, particularly among young generations.
Currently, Mai Chau district has 183 art groups, of which 138 teams have been established under decision of the district People's Committee. They have regularly organised exchanges and performances in communes and hamlets in the district, attracting the participation of a large number of people, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere, promoting local socio-economic development.
In order to preserve and promote folk performing arts widely, every year, the district’s culture, sports and communication centre coordinates with relevant authorities to organise cultural and sports festivals among ethnic people such as Gau Tao festival of the Mong people, Xen Muong festival of the Thai people to help bolster exchanges and strengthen solidarity among ethnic groups in the locality.
To preserve the folk arts of all ethnic groups, in addition to the attention, leadership and direction of administrations at all levels, it is necessary to have the participation of people from all walks of life in preserving and promoting the values of national culture. This not only helps preserve traditional cultural beauty, but also contributes to promoting the image of Mai Chau and its people to domestic and foreign tourists.
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."
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.
Great National Unity Day has been recently celebrated in Duong hamlet, Vay Nua commune, Da Bac district, in an atmosphere of warmth and community spirit. The event highlighted national identity and strengthened the bond of solidarity among residents.
On November 28, the People's Committee of Cao Phong district organized the Cultural and Sports Festival of Cao Phong district's ethnic groups in 2024.
