On February 9th, i.e. the 12th of Lunar January, the People's Committee of Van Son Commune (Lac Son) organized the opening ceremony of the Festival of Khenh Communal House of the Year of the Snake 2025. There was the attendance of the delegates from the districts and the city in the province, along with a large number of tourists and the local people.
Lac Son District’s leaders presented flowers to congratulate the Festival of Khenh Communal House in 2025.
Khenh Communal House has existed for a long time, worshiping the following people: Mr. Chuong Tin, Mrs. Trieu An, the two leaders of Muong people who fought against Ngo invaders; Mr. Tuc Co, Mrs. Quan Da, the General Cai Do, Cai Dao, who were the generals of the two above people; Mr. Hien, Mr. Hieu, the Gods (Thanh Hoang) of Muong Khenh; 9 Da Chua Na people, the first people to reclaim the land and establish Muong Khenh.
Being restored since 2018 and ranked as a provincial historical and cultural relic since 2020, the Festival of Khenh communal house is periodically held on January 12-13 every year to pray for the favorable weather, bountiful crops, health and happiness for the people in the village, and to create an atmosphere of solidarity and excitement when entering the new production season.
Visitors welcome the lucky rice flowers, which symbolize good luck and fortune in the new year.
In the space of the New Year festival, visitors and the local people have witnessed the unique rituals and ceremonies: carrying the lucky rice flowers and offering lucky rice flowers, praying for birds, spinning the Da Ha statue, knocking on the pole, pulling the festival...; experiencing a unique cultural and sports festival with a night of cultural exchange, folk games and volleyball competitions.
The Festival of Khenh communal house aims to preserve, conserve and promote the good customs and practices; promoting, advertising and introducing to tourists the humanistic values of the festival.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
Authorities and residents of Chieng Chau commune, Mai Chau district, are making efforts to preserve and promote the historical value of a centuries-old gold apple tree (scientifically known as diospyros decandra lour), which has been recognised as a national heritage tree.
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