(HBO) – The Hoa Binh provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a conference to launch its 2021 tasks. Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Toan attended and chaired the event.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee
Nguyen Van Toan presents certificates of merit to individuals.
Last year, the culture, sports and tourism sector
successfully realised strategic directives, resolutions, programmes and planning
in the fields of culture, family affairs, sports and tourism, contributing to
fulfilling yearly targets. Its activities resumed following social distancing
period caused by COVID-19 pandemic, promptly serving political task and meeting
public demand for culture enjoyment. It also presented dossiers to the
provincial People’s Committee to seek recognition of four relic sites as
provincial-level historical-cultural sites, held five provincial-level sport
tournaments, and eight others in collaboration with sectors and mass
organisations. It partnered with the Vietnam Sports Administration to
successfully organise two national bicycle motor-cross races, recruited and
trained athletes to 15 regional sport tournaments.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
tourist arrivals and revenue strongly fell. The province welcomed 1,980
visitors, or 60 percent of the yearly target, down 40 percent year-on-year. The
total revenue reached 1.475 trillion VND, or 59 percent of the yearly target.
The sector’s 2021 key task is realising the Resolution of
the 17th provincial Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure and action
programmes, including pooling resources to build cultural-sports institutions,
paying attention to sport training, and upholding values of national cultural
heritages in combination with tourism development.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial
People’s Committee Nguyen Van Toan spoke highly of the sector’s efforts last
year. Despite the serious impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, the sector still
maintained a stable growth, contributing to ensuring local social welfare. As
difficulties remain ahead in 2021, he directed seriously complying with
pandemic prevention and control measures so that festivals could be held in a
safe and economical manner.
On the occasion, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
presented certificates of merit to two individuals. The provincial People’s
Committee also handed over certificates of merit to eight collectives and 19
individuals for their outstanding achievements in emulation movements. Many
other collectives and individuals were also awarded with certificates of merit
from the ministry, the provincial authorities and department of culture, sports
and tourism./.
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.