The glamour of Vietnamese Ao dai (traditional long dress) was brought closer to our international friends through a stellar show jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea and the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE) on August 30.

Vietnamese "Ao dai" embroidered with national flowers of ASEAN member states at the show. (Photo: VNA)
The event
is part of the art exhibitions and performances which are underway at the
KOFICE’s headquarters to mark the 72nd anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day
and the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two
countries.
The Ao
dai show featured 10 designs of the traditional dress by famous designer Si
Hoang, which were embroidered with the national flowers of the ASEAN member
states.
Hoang
said that the cultural event will make significant contributions to promoting
people-to-people exchanges and tightening the bilateral relations.
Vietnamese
culture was also highlighted through performances of dan bau (monochord), sao
truc (bamboo flute) and dan T’rung (bamboo xylophone).
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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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.