(HBO) - The Standing Committee of the Women’s Union of Hoa Binh province has issued Official Dispatch No. 1165/BTV-VP dated February 5, 2020 on response to the campaign entitled "Ao dai – Vietnamese cultural heritage” which was launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union.
Contestants of the 2019 "Beauty of Muong land” contest
wear "ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional long dress).
Activities within the framework of the campaign
are slated for March 6 with all members of the women’s union at all levels and
female workers in the province wearing ao dai.
The women’s unions of districts, Hoa Binh city
and agencies were asked to join hands with media units to call on female
workers to wear "ao dai” at their workplaces, schools and offices, as well as
during social and family events.
Organisations and individuals were
requested to team up with relevant agencies to arrange practical, suitable and
creative activities such as "ao dai” shows, meetings with ao dai designers and
tailors; encourage designs with traditional materials; hold workshops and
contests; and present "ao dai” for poor women, among others.
This is part of activities to promote the
image of Vietnamese women’s "ao dai”, in a bid to have "ao dai” inscribed on
the list of national intangible cultural heritage./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.