Mr. Bui Van Nom (the external from the right) and his associates when contacting, studying and collecting Mo songs, the old folk songs of Muong ethnic people in Van Son commune (Lac Son).

Following the distinguished culture researcher and artisan, Mr. Bui Huy Vong, we visited Mr. Bui Van Nom, the former Secretary of Lac Son District’s Party Committee. There are full of books about history and culture he has been collecting over the years on his desk. The sound of the rhythms of Rang Thuong singing, love song singing (responsive singing) is peaceful, melodious and gentle from the small speakers mounted on the column. Mr. Bui Huy Vong says these are old songs. It is one of the peaks of Muong folk language expressed in a rustic but extremely deep and emotional voice by the elderly artists of Muong Vang region. Thanks to Mr. Nom, Lac Son district has been collecting and preserving many traditional folk songs of Muong ethnic people.

The treasure of folk tunes and ancient music that Bui Van Nom has worked so hard to gather, and the folk researchers and artisans collecting them during the past years can be considered to be "massive”. The folk songs, love songs, or Thuong Dang and Bo Met singing are all stored in the form of recordings and video recordings. These are all ancient lyrics, only the elderly people know and know how to sing them, and now they are in danger of disappearing. It is worth saying that "without the effort of Mr. Bui Van Nom, it is likely that a lot of folk songs would have completely disappeared and could not be found. Because many people have followed their ancestors to Muong Ma already. Those are extremely valuable documents,” the folklore researcher and artist, Mr. Bui Huy Vong said.

Talking with us, Mr. Bui Van Nom also says that currently the collection team has gathered, collected and saved hundreds of audio and video recordings with a duration of about 70 hours of responsive singing, in which there are songs that last from morning till night. Along with that, there are hundreds of high quality audio and video recordings of over 100 hours of folk artists’ performance. In addition, there are hundreds of old songs with lyrics and languages bearing a literary image.

Related Topics

Lo Son commune’s traditional stream fishing festival

Hoa Binh - The land of epics and legends

Truong Kha temple festival 2025

Women's clothing of ethnic minorities in Hoa Binh

---

Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

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, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

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.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

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.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

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.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

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 – National intangible cultural heritage

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.