Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

4/12/2025 - 11:10:55 AM

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 Khai Ha Festival of the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh province is held to help promote the beauty of Muong culture to visitors.

In the early morning mist of Kim Boi district, the rhythmic echoes of Muong gongs ring out from a small corner of Bo village. On a wooden porch, Dinh Thi Kieu Dung patiently guides a group of children through traditional Muong songs and dances. For nearly two decades, Dung has offered free cultural classes, motivated by a deep love for her heritage. Dung said she began these lessons to help young people embrace their roots and strengthen their bond with the homeland. Since 2004, over 500 children aged between 8 and 15 have taken part in her classes, many of whom have gone on to promote Muong music and dance in wider cultural settings.

A similar passion for preservation can be found in Lac Thuy district, where artisan Nguyen Manh Tuan began collecting traditional Muong handicrafts in 2012. He explained that his work is driven by a desire to protect the legacy of his ancestors from fading. Tuan has also reconstructed a traditional Muong stilt house, offering future generations a link to the spiritual life of the past.

Meanwhile, Bui Thanh Binh, director of the Muong Cultural Heritage Museum in Hoa Binh city, has spent years collecting artefacts that celebrate Muong traditions. He has helped transform the museum into a cultural site that draws both domestic and international visitors.

Hoa Binh province is home to more than 221 recognised cultural heritage sites linked to the Muong people, including four at national level and 43 at the provincial level.

Archaeological discoveries, such as the ancient tombs of Dong Thech (Kim Boi district), Dong Bay (Tan Lac district), and Doi Thung (Lac Son district), have been carefully excavated and preserved, shedding light on the rich history of the Muong people.

Traditional stilt houses, an iconic feature of Muong architecture, have also been preserved. Today, these homes serve not only as places of residence but as key attractions in community-based tourism, allowing visitors to experience Muong culture firsthand. In addition, local authorities have encouraged the wearing of traditional clothing among civil servants and students at least once a week to promote cultural identity.

The Muong gongs – often described as the soul of the people – continue to play a central role in the cultural life of the community. These instruments accompany every major milestone, from births and weddings to funerals. Hoa Binh is currently home to nearly 10,000 ancient gongs, a testament to the enduring strength of the tradition. In 2011 and again in 2016, the province hosted large-scale Muong Gong Festivals, the latter earning national recognition for hosting the largest gong performance in the country. Also in 2016, Muong Gong Art was officially recognised as part of Vietnam’s national intangible cultural heritage.

Hoa Binh province has also prioritised the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. A comprehensive inventory conducted in recent years has identified 267 cultural elements, including oral traditions, performing arts, folk festivals, social customs, and traditional crafts.

Among the most notable are the Mo Muong ritual, the Khai Ha Festival, and the Muong calendar – all of which have been recognised nationally.

The Khai Ha Festival, honoured as intangible heritage in 2022, continues to be celebrated annually and will be featured again in 2024 and 2025 as part of efforts to promote Muong heritage to both locals and tourists.

Language preservation has also seen significant progress. In 2016, the Muong script was officially recognised, offering a written foundation to help protect and promote the Muong language. Traditional knowledge, such as the community’s herbal medicine practices and the use of the bamboo calendar, also remain integral to Muong life.

Muong cuisine adds another layer to the cultural identity. With 69 traditional dishes and beverages crafted from locally sourced ingredients, Muong food reflects the close relationship between the people and their environment, and the essence of Muong community living.

Despite increasing modernisation, Muong culture continues to thrive thanks to folk music classes and grassroots collectors to vibrant festivals filled with drums and gongs. These efforts serve not only to preserve the past but to connect it with the present – ensuring that Muong's heritage continues to shine for generations to come.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

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 – National intangible cultural heritage

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.

Chieng Chau commune preserves heritage tree

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.

Ever-resonating Dong Son drums of Hoa Binh

Hoa Binh is home to two types of Dong Son drums: Heger I and Heger II. These drums date back from the 4th century BC to the 5th century AD.

Mo Muong - unique cultural heritage of Muong people

Mo is a term referring to a profession and cultural heritage which integrates folk beliefs with folk culture and arts. Practiced at funerals and religious rituals by the Muong ethnic people, it aims to provide spiritual comfort during significant life events such as illness and death.

Unique traits of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh

Hoa Binh leaves a strong impression on visitors due to the diversity in the lifestyle and cultural identities of its ethnic groups. The province is home to six main ethnic groups, with a total population of nearly 900,000. The largest group is Muong, making up 63.3% of the population, followed by Kinh with 27.73%, Thai 3.9%, Tay 2.7%, Dao 1.7%, Mong 0.52%, and other ethnic groups 1.18%. Along with the long history of the nation’s formation and defence, the province’s ethnic groups have always been united, hardworking, and determined to strive for socio-economic development. At the same time, each ethnic group displays its own unique and distinct cultural identity, contributing to a diverse, rich, and attractive cultural tapestry.