The People’s Committee of the southern province of Tra Vinh on October 25 organised a cultural exchange programme to tighten the friendship between Vietnam and Japan.
The Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Programme 2018 is organised
to tighten the friendship between Vietnam and Japan. (Photo:
travinh.gov.vn)
The Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Programme 2018 was attended by
Jun-ichi Kawaue, Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, and a crowd of
Japanese businesses based in the city and Tra Vinh province.
In his opening remark, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dong Van
Lam said the programme is held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of
Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (September 21, 1973-2018).
Through the exchange, Tra Vinh wishes to introduce the Japanese people to the
cultural beauties and traditional customs of Vietnam in general and the
province in particular, he said.
The local leader took the occasion to thank the Japanese Government for funding
many programmes and projects in Tra Vinh over the past time. Among them are a
specialised credit programme, a project to improve agricultural promotion
system and another on medical equipment supply, which contribute to giving a
facelift to the province’s extremely difficult rural areas.
For his part, the Japanese Consul General lauded the fine friendship between
the two countries and expressed his wish that Vietnam-Japan exchange will be
expanded to many other fields so that Japanese businesses have more conditions
to explore investment opportunities in the locality.
The Vietnam-Japan Cultural Exchange Programme 2018 featured a wide range of
activities, including performances of traditional instruments, folk games,
re-enactment of a countryside market day, kimono and ao dai (long dress) shows,
and Japanese dance performances.
Japanese and Vietnamese handicrafts and cuisine were also introduced at the
event.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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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