A trade and culture exchange programme among ASEAN nations opened at Ho Chi Minh City’s September 23 Park on April 18.
A performance of Vietnamese girls with ao dai (traditional long dress) and conical hats at the exchange programme. (Photo: VNA)
The event, hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, is to mark Vietnam’s 43rd Reunification Day (April 30) and the third founding anniversary of the ASEAN Economic Community.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said over the past 50 years, ASEAN has become a unified community with a common vision and identity.
Easier flows of traffic and frequent economic and cultural activities between members with a population of nearly 630 million people have brought the countries closer, he added.
The exchange programme offers opportunities for people in ASEAN to introduce their cultural and historical values to international friends, bolstering mutual understanding and solidarity and contributing to a sustainable, self-strengthening and dynamic ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
The official voiced his hope that through the event, ASEAN businesses will seek more cooperation and optimise economic benefits brought by the ASEAN Community. He also encouraged ASEAN firms to join hands to create made-in ASEAN products.
The programme, which runs until April 22, includes a fair with more than 110 trade pavilions and 40 cuisine booths.
Art, martial arts, folk games and sport performances are also being held during the event, together with the screening of clips promoting tourism of participating countries and products of enterprises.
Source: NDO
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 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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.
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