(HBO) – The traditional Gau Tao festival of the Mong ethnic minority people was held by the People’s Committee of Pa Co commune in Mai Chau district on February 10 (the sixth day of the Lunar New Year). It saw the presence of representatives of provincial and local agencies, residents in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes, and visitors.
Gau Tao is a longstanding festival of
the Mong ethnic minority group. It was officially restored in Hang Kia and Pa
Co communes in 2017. The festival began with the erection of a "neu” pole that
represents the connection between the sky and the earth and is meant to pray
for a child and bumper crops. The Mong people erect a neu pole in every spring
and consider this a sacred symbol pushing away bad luck and bringing good luck
in the New Year.
After the "neu” pole erection ritual, young
people held hands in a circle to dance in the sound of khen – a panpipe type of
the Mong people. In this ethnic group’s culture, the sound of khen shows their
traditional spiritual life and belief, and this instrument plays a crucial role
in their traditional rituals and festivals.
The main ritual in the Gau Tao festival is the erection
of the "neu” pole to pray for a child and bumper crops.
In the sound of khen, young Mong people and
visitors hold hands in a circle to dance, which is also the time the festival
is in full swing.
Visitors have a chance to enjoy special singing
and dancing performances at the Gau Tao festival.
The Gau Tao festival also featured a number of
singing and dancing performances, folk games, and booths introducing delicacies
of the Mong people in Pa Co and Hang Kia communes.
The Gau Tao festival features many unique folk games.
The Mong people in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes
used to live isolated and face numerous difficulties in their life. In recent
years, local authorities have carried out many programmes and plans, especially
economic development and poverty reduction plans and the campaign that promotes
people’s unity in building new-style rural areas, thus strongly improving
residents’ material and spiritual life. Locals have no longer practiced
shifting cultivation but settled down to form villages and change their farming
structure such as by boosting the cultivation of "shan tuyet” tea, peach, plum
and passion fruit trees.
The restoration of the Gau Tao festival has
created a chance to tap into local potential and advantages and introduce the Mong
people’s cultural identities to domestic and foreign visitors, thereby helping
to boost socio-economic development in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes./.
With the theme "Hoa Binh- Confidently moving forward", the mascots welcoming the Year of the Snake are displayed at Hoa Binh Square, ensuring aesthetic beauty and imbued with national cultural identity. The works have received a positive welcome from the people, creating an exciting atmosphere for traditional Tet celebration and serving as a cultural and tourism highlight to attract visitors to Hoa Binh city and Hoa Binh province.
Hoa
Binh City is wearing a fresh, bright, green, clean and beautiful appearance
before the Spring of At Ty. Below are notes from Hoa Binh Newspaper reporters
in Hoa Binh City during the days leading up to Lunar New Year 2025.
Com Hamlet, Dong Lai Commune, Tan Lac district, was recognized as a traditional brocade weaving village in 2017 and has since established the Dong Lai Traditional Brocade Weaving and General Services Cooperative. Over the years, the revival of the brocade weaving craft has not only helped preserve traditional cultural values but also opened up economic development opportunities, providing income for residents.
The Ministry of Construction recently conducted an
appraisal and evaluation of the proposal to recognize Hoa Binh City as a Class
II urban area under Hoa Binh Province. The appraisal council agreed that Hoa
Binh City meets the criteria for a Class II urban area with a score of 84.16
out of 100. The city is currently focusing on improving its infrastructure,
enhancing its urban aesthetics, and aiming to become a modern urban area with a
unique identity.
Traditional costumes are cultural symbols of each
ethnic group, reflecting their customs and unique identities. Every pattern and
color on these outfits is a sophisticated blend of craftsmanship, folk
knowledge, and art. The traditional costumes of ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh
Province, such as the Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong are not only used in daily life but also during
festivals and significant life ceremonies.
The atmosphere of Christmas (Noel) 2024 is
spreading from major cities to parishes, sub-parishes, and Catholic communities
throughout Hoa Binh Province. Christmas is now not only celebrated by Catholics
but also warmly welcomed by many people.
