(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.
On February 12th (i.e. Lunar January 15), the People's Committee of Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district organized the Festival of Sim Pagoda Festival in At Ty Spring, 2025. The festival welcomed many people and tourists to visit the pagoda and enjoy the scenery.
The palanquin procession to Sim Pagoda.
As Hoa Binh province is set to host 115 spring festivals, local departments, sectors and localities are joining hands to ensure safety for the events.
In many major cultural events in Hanoi, the sound of the Muong people's gongs has become a special tone, contributing to the unique harmony that praises the cultural values accumulated over thousands of years along with the sacred soul of the capital city.
On the first day back to work and school after the Lunar New Year holiday, thousands of female officials, civil servants, and students from grade nine and above in Lac Son district proudly wore the traditional Muong attire. The vibrant brocade patterns created a striking cultural display, reinforcing the community's commitment to preserving and promoting their heritage.
The provincial-level Khai Ha festival 2025 of the Muong ethnic minority group took place at Phong Phu commune’s stadium in Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province on the morning of February 5 (the 8th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake).
"Xuong Dong” (going to the field) festival opened in Yen Phu commune of Hoa Binh’s Lac Son district on February 5, or the eighth day of the Year of the Snake, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to partake in a variety of activities.
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