The National School of Languages, Linguistics and Translation under the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico held a Day of Vietnamese Language and Cuisine and screened films to introduce Vietnamese culture to lecturers and students on October 5.
A student is making
Vietnamese spring rolls at the event.
At a Vietnamese-language class, First Secretary of the
Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico Lam Quoc Thanh presented an overview of the
origin, formation and development of the Vietnamese language.
Nearly 50 students learned Vietnam’s alphabet characters,
pronunciation and basic greetings. They expressed wish that more Vietnamese
classes will be opened.
Head of the Russian, Asian and contemporary Greek language
faculty Ricardo Cornejo said the school will consider adding Vietnamese
language into its curricula in the near future to meet students’ demand.
International and Mexican students were also introduced to
Vietnam’s rice paper – a specialty of the wet rice civilization. They learnt
how to make fresh spring rolls using rice papers.
On the occasion, they gained an insight into the unique culture of
H’Mong people, one of the 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups via the film "Story of
Pao” by director Ngo Quang Hai.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.