(HBO) – Upon arriving in Lac Village – located in Chieng Chau, in the Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province – you will understand why the locals here have come to call Vi Thi Thuan, a Thai ethnic minority woman, "Co Tien”, or "Fairy” in English.
"Fairy” Vi Thi Thuan looks at the products made by a local
worker at the Thuan Hoa Social Protection Centre.
Her matronly name comes from her
dedication to caring for others and her ability to weave magic out of a
difficult situation.
Thuan decided to build a house for people
with disabilities in a bid that would not only allow them to make a living, but
also preserve the traditional art of brocade weaving. As such, the Thuan Hoa
Social Protection Centre was established on May 1, 2018.
Over the past decade, hundreds of women
with disabilities and those from difficult backgrounds have come to the centre,
which offers them stable employment and the opportunity to earn a living for
themselves.
The centre currently accommodates 35
ethnic minority women, including 11 people with disabilities, who are provided with
jobs and a stable income ranging from 2.5 to 4 million VND per month.
It was very challenging at the beginning
as this craft is difficult even for able-bodied people to master; for people
with disabilities, it can be a thousand times more difficult, Thuan recalled.
"I myself had no experience, only my courage
and enthusiasm, and so there were many times where I did not know what to do
first, and what to do later,” she said. "Fortunately, all the members here live
together in harmony, like the name of the centre "Thuan Hoa”. Thus, when
confronted with any challenges, we always encourage each other to overcome them
together.”
After many ups and downs, in 2016, the
centre was able to build a new workshop and separate rooms for 20 of the women living
here, as well as a showroom, two stilt houses for homestay services, and a
large yard for camping and the display of Thai ethnic minority items.
"Many difficulties remain ahead of us, but
we are still dedicated to crafting and selling traditional handicrafts that
reflect the cultural beauty of Thai people,” Thuan added.
In addition, she plans to develop a large
garden full of local flowers from the northwestern region in the future and
create a cultural space of Thai ethnic community in Mai Chau to serve tourism.
Thuan was awarded the title of brocade
weaving artisan by the Vietnam Craft Village Association three years in a row
from 2010 to 2013, and honoured by the President of the Vietnam Women’s Union
as an example of an excellent businesswoman from an ethnic minority group.
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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