A ceremony was held in Binh Dinh province on May 5, to receive a certificate recognising bai choi, a form of folk singing popular in central Vietnam, as a UNESCO intangible heritage of humanity.
A
bai choi performance at the ceremony
The event was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the
UNESCO chief in Vietnam Michael Croft, as well as foreign diplomats and artists
from provinces where bai choi is practised.
An indispensable cultural element of people in the central provinces, the
content ofbai
choisinging reflects the
love for the homeland, community relationships and life experiences.
The art also helps to shape the qualities that
characterise the people of central Vietnam: frankness, sincerity,
simplicity, toughness, optimism and hospitality.
Speaking at the ceremony, PM Phuc stated that cultural
heritages are a valuable asset of communities and the preservation and
promotion work is significant for nurturing patriotism and strengthening
national solidarity.
For his part, Binh Dinh, Chairman Ho Quoc Dung, affirmed
that the provinces where bai choi is practised are determined to effectively
implement a scheme on promoting the heritage.
The ceremony also featured a wide range ofbai
choiperformances as well as
other songs and dances typical of the central region.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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