The People’s Committee of Ha Nam province hosted a ceremony on May 3 to receive a certificate recognizing Doi Son (or Long Doi Son) pagoda as a special national relic site and to kick off Doi Son pagoda festival 2018.
At the
ceremony (Source: VNA)
The Doi Son pagoda is located in Doi Son
commune, Duy Tien district, the Red River Delta province
of Ha Nam.
The pagoda was built in 1054 under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong. It was
expanded from 1118-1121 under the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong along with the
construction of Sung Thien Dien Linh tower.
In the early 15th century, both Doi Son pagoda and Sung Thien Dien Linh tower
were completely destroyed when the Ming aggressors invaded the country. Under
the Later Le, Mac and Nguyen dynasties, the pagoda was rebuilt and its
architecture was gradually restored.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang
Thi Bich Lien asked Ha Nam
province to work out an overall planning scheme for the long-term preservation
of the relic site.
The relic site management board should plant landmarks surrounding the pagoda,
promote the dissemination of information about its historical, cultural,
scientific and artistic values, build plans for restoration and upgrading and
maintain traditional festive rituals, she said.
The official also suggested the provincial authorities to uphold the values of
local typical festivals in a bid to further foster its tourism development.
Source: VNA
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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