The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Mo master Shaman Bui Van Rum from Rom Co hamlet, Thuong Coc commune, Lac Son district, introduces a set of items used for rituals.
Specifically, along with the "Cheo art", considering the proposal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST), the assessment opinion of the National Cultural Heritage Council on requesting permission and submitting the national dossier "Mo Muong" for consideration and registration on UNESCO's Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Deputy PM Ha expressed the following opinion:
Agree to submit to UNESCO for consideration and inclusion of the "Mo Muong" intangible cultural heritage, covering the provinces of Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Son La, and Dak Lak, and Hanoi city, into the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding; authorise the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to sign the documents as required.
The Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO will preside over and coordinate with the MoCST to carry out necessary procedures to submit heritage dossiers to UNESCO, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and cultural heritage laws.
Mo Muong is a folk performance activity expressed in rituals associated with the spiritual life of the Muong people. The space for performing ritual activities and the mo chants takes place in community life and within each family organising a ceremony. The practitioners of Mo Muong are Mo masters who speak, recite, and sing mo chants during rituals. Mo Muong comprises many mo chants and sections used in specific ceremonies.
On February 12th (i.e. Lunar January 15), the People's Committee of Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district organized the Festival of Sim Pagoda Festival in At Ty Spring, 2025. The festival welcomed many people and tourists to visit the pagoda and enjoy the scenery.
The palanquin procession to Sim Pagoda.
As Hoa Binh province is set to host 115 spring festivals, local departments, sectors and localities are joining hands to ensure safety for the events.
In many major cultural events in Hanoi, the sound of the Muong people's gongs has become a special tone, contributing to the unique harmony that praises the cultural values accumulated over thousands of years along with the sacred soul of the capital city.
On the first day back to work and school after the Lunar New Year holiday, thousands of female officials, civil servants, and students from grade nine and above in Lac Son district proudly wore the traditional Muong attire. The vibrant brocade patterns created a striking cultural display, reinforcing the community's commitment to preserving and promoting their heritage.
The provincial-level Khai Ha festival 2025 of the Muong ethnic minority group took place at Phong Phu commune’s stadium in Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province on the morning of February 5 (the 8th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake).
"Xuong Dong” (going to the field) festival opened in Yen Phu commune of Hoa Binh’s Lac Son district on February 5, or the eighth day of the Year of the Snake, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to partake in a variety of activities.