The festival began with the worshiping of the Three Mountainous Saints at the shrine of Muong Thang (Dong Ngoai village); worshipping ceremony at the tomb of Princess Le (Xuong Dau village); Procession Ceremony from Muong Thang Shrine to the stadium of Dung Phong commune. Here, when the gong and music ended, the Mo person slowly walked up to read the request for permission to open the festival in Muong ethnic language.

After the traditional ceremony, in the opening session, the organizers highlighted the meaning of the Festival, outlined the achievements of socio-economic development of the district and told the activities during the Festival. The organizers of the festival desired that the committees and administrations from the district to the communes, towns and local people who are far from the homeland, visitors always aim for the source, continue to invest, embellish, preserve and manage the Cultural relics and revolutional relics to promote more valuable historical-cultural relics, contributing to the history of cultural and Revolutional tradition of Muong Thang homeland, building Dung Phong commune to become  a strong, civilized commune, and leading in the movement to build new rural agricultural area.

Art Program celebrating Muong Thang Season Opening Festival in the Year of the Dog 2018.

The art program is started with the performance of the Muong gongs of nearly 200 actors who are gong artists and mass performers, which recreated the history of the festival, flower garden legend, Coi mountain and introduced typical cultural characteristics and typical products of Cao Phong district.

At the festival, visitors can visit, enjoy the booth displaying, introducing cultural products, cuisine of the communes, towns in the district. Besides, at the Festival, there are also performances of singing Ví, Đúm, Muong gongs; organizing sports tournaments, folk games; exchanging art performances and performing ethnic costumes.

According to the plan, Muong Thang Season Opening Festival in the Year of the Dog 2018 would be held until the end of the morning of February 22 (the 7th of Lunar New Year).

Related Topics

Lo Son commune’s traditional stream fishing festival

Hoa Binh - The land of epics and legends

Truong Kha temple festival 2025

Women's clothing of ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh

---

Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.

Preserving, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

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.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

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.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

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.

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.