The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on December 24 organised a conference to report on the results of collecting, researching, restoring, and preserving "Bi doi”, a musical instrument of the airophonic family and a traditional instrument of the Muong ethnic people in Da Bac district.

Delegates watch documentary on the technique of
crafting and the art of performing "Bi doi” of the Muong people in Da Bac.
The delegates watched a documentary showcasing the results
of the "Bi doi" collection and documentation as well as the technique
of crafting and the art of performing the instrument.
"Bi doi” is a unique musical instrument of the Muong people
in Da Bac district who also refer to it as "Pi Toi” or "Pi Doi”. It is used
during festive occasions, celebrations, and Tet holidays, and in the
storytelling time after long hours of hard work. "Bi doi” has become an
indispensable instrument, embodying the spirit and essence of Muong ethnic
minorities.
In its efforts to preserve and promote the cultural heritage
of ethnic minorities in the province, the department has undertaken the
collection, research, and restoration of the methods for finding materials,
crafting, and teaching the instrument. The goal is to preserve and promote its
cultural value, while also developing tourism services, and fostering
socio-economic, and cultural development in the locality.
This effort is part of the project to preserve the cultural
heritage of the Muong ethnic group and the "Hoa Binh Civilisation,"
thus contributing to affirming the position, role, and profound significance of
traditional musical instruments in the cultural life of the group, and raise
awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting the "Bi doi” instrument.
At the conference, delegates from various departments,
agencies and the district, and artisans contributed their opinions on the
results of the collection and documentation of this instrument, as well as
measures to preserve and promote local cultural heritage.
Hoa Binh province has carried out multiple programmes and initiatives to revive its cultural heritage which has gradually fallen into oblivion through the ebbs and flows of history.
The most prominent and defining feature in the prehistoric era of Hoa Binh is the Hoa Binh Culture. The Culture was first discovered in Hoa Binh. The significant prehistoric culture represents not only Vietnam but also Southeast Asia and southern China. Through excavations of cave sites in the limestone regions of Hoa Binh, French archaeologist M. Colani introduced the world to a "Stone Age in Hoa Binh province – Northern Vietnam" in 1927. On January 30, 1932, the First Congress of Far Eastern Prehistorians, held in Hanoi, officially recognised the Hoa Binh Culture.
Known as the "Land of Epic History”, Hoa Binh province, the gateway to Vietnam’s northwest, boasts a strategic location and a unique cultural tapestry woven by its ethnic minority communities.
The People's Committee of Luong Son District recently held a ceremony to receive the certificate recognizing Sau Communal House in Thanh Cao Commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural site.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.