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Held every three years, the swing festival in Muong Voi, Vu Ban town in Lac Son district is "one-of-a-kind". From the 5th to the 7th day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Dragon, thousands of residents and tourists flocked to the locality to experience the unique cultural festival.
Visitors join the swing festival in the Lunar New Year Festival 2024.
Accordingto thelegendpassed down by the local elderly, gods
worshipped at the Cay Si temple were credited with teaching people of Muong Voi
how to cultivate fields, build embankments to control water flow, and conduct
water to fields. They also taught the people how to cultivate rice, and cotton
for weaving fabric. In gratitude for the merits and teachings of the gods,
residents built a temple to worship them.
The Muong village usually holds the swing festival immediately after completing
rituals at the Cay Si temple to invite the gods to join them.
The two old people start the game first. Following them, a young couple chosen
by villagers will join in, marking the beginning of the festival. Winning teams
are usually couples that have the same mindset, strength, courage, and
confidence.
Nguyen Duc Giang, a tourist from Nam Dinh province, said the festival offers a
chance for him to experience and immerse himself in the festive atmosphere in
the locality.
In addition to swinging, visitors can also join many other
unique folk games of the Muong ethnic people, such as tug-of-war, and Nem con
(shuttlecock throwing). Notably, this year's Muong Voi swing festival featured a Muong gong performance
by 150 artisans, a "dum” singing performance by elderly artisans, and an art
exchange night.
According to Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Vu Ban town Bui Thi
Thi, the festival is a pride of locals in particular and those in Lac Son
district in general.
Along with others, this unique festival has contributed to preserving and
promoting the unique historical and cultural value and heritage of the Muong
ethnic group, and attracting visitors to the locality.
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.
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