(HBO) – Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province is home to 31 historical – cultural relic sites and scenic landscapes, including three at the national level, 11 at the provincial level, and two others currently seeking the provincial recognition.
Khoi
Communal House in An Nghia commune, Lac Son district, has been rehabilitated to
serve as a place of worship for local people.
Over the past years, authorities in Lac Son have
paid attention to the management, protection and promotion of local relic
sites’ values. They have increased communications to raise public awareness of
the work. Many localities here have also included relic site protection
regulations in village conventions so that all people can join in common
efforts. Inspection and examination have been enhanced while timely measures
have been taken to deal with any violations of the Law on Cultural Heritage.
The mobilisation, management and use of resources for protecting and upholding
relic sites’ values have been carried out in line with legal regulations.
Apart from recognised relic sites, the
remainders have also been surveyed to be included among those under provincial
agencies’ management. In addition to researching relic sites to make dossiers
seeking provincial and national recognition for them, Lac Son has stepped up
the preservation and rehabilitation of those sites.
Thanks to funding from the State budget and
private sources, some relic sites in the district have been restored with their
original architecture preserved such as the revolutionary relic site of the
Muong Khoi war resistance base (An Nghia commune), Coi Communal House (Vu Binh
commune), the shrine at Trai Cave (Tan Lap commune), and Cay Da Temple (Vu Ban
township).
However, there are still some relic sites at
risk of degradation such as Bang Communal House (Ngoc Lau commune), Khu Dung
Cave (Nhan Nghia commune), and the establishment venue of the provincial Party
Committee’s Office (Nhan Nghia commune).
To bring into play relic sites’ values, aside
from preservation and rehabilitation, the district’s administration has
directed localities to ensure the effective management and organisation of
traditional festivals linked with the sites. Many festivals have been revived,
helping to uphold cultural values and meet people’s spiritual need.
In the coming time, the district will press on
with disseminating the Law on Cultural Heritage and legal documents on the
preservation and promotion of relic sites’ values. It is also set to keep
working to encourage people to join hands in the work./.
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.