(HBO) – Hang Kia-Pa Co communes in Mai Chau district have 90 percent of their population being Mong ethnic minority people. Each year, local residents celebrate their Independence Festival from August 25 with colourful costumes and flowers decorated along streets. However, this year, due to COVID-19 pandemic, Mong people in Mai Chau have not gathered in traditional markets but celebrated the special event right at home. Amid the complicated development of the pandemic, they have been encouraged to enjoy the festival with strict implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures.
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Visitors are enjoying
Independence Festival in a Mong village in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau).
Sung A Mang, a local in Pa Co Lon hamlet of Pa Co commune said that every year
on the National Day (September 2) occasion and major events of the year, local
families often kill pigs, buffaloes and chickens to offer to their ancestors.
Prior to the main festival day, people in hamlets and villages opened joint
parties by contributing chickens, pigs, rice andenjoyed the festival
together.
However, this year, due to COVID-19, the festive atmosphere
is not the same as the previous years with massive gatherings being cancelled.
But still, Mong people are still enjoying their traditional festival with
simple but cozy family meals, while maintaining their regular production
activities.
Sung A Chua, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Pa Co said that this
year, the Independence Festival does not include entertainment and festive
activities. However, through communications, all local residents understand
that to protect the health of themselves, their families and the community,
they should join hands to prevent the pandemic from entering the locality and
maintain socio-economic development.
Currently, per capita income of Hang Kia and Pa Co has reached 13 million VND
and 15 million VND each year, respectively. As of the end of June 2021, the
ratio of poor households was brought down to 24.7 percent in Hang Kia and 22.5
percent in Pa Co. Both communes have completed 13 out of 19 criteria of a
new-style rural area. Cultural and education infrastructure in the localities
have been improved to meet new-style rural area standards, while
defence-security situation has been ensured, with reinforced political
system./.
On February 12th (i.e. Lunar January 15), the People's Committee of Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district organized the Festival of Sim Pagoda Festival in At Ty Spring, 2025. The festival welcomed many people and tourists to visit the pagoda and enjoy the scenery.
The palanquin procession to Sim Pagoda.
As Hoa Binh province is set to host 115 spring festivals, local departments, sectors and localities are joining hands to ensure safety for the events.
In many major cultural events in Hanoi, the sound of the Muong people's gongs has become a special tone, contributing to the unique harmony that praises the cultural values accumulated over thousands of years along with the sacred soul of the capital city.
On the first day back to work and school after the Lunar New Year holiday, thousands of female officials, civil servants, and students from grade nine and above in Lac Son district proudly wore the traditional Muong attire. The vibrant brocade patterns created a striking cultural display, reinforcing the community's commitment to preserving and promoting their heritage.
The provincial-level Khai Ha festival 2025 of the Muong ethnic minority group took place at Phong Phu commune’s stadium in Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh province on the morning of February 5 (the 8th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake).
"Xuong Dong” (going to the field) festival opened in Yen Phu commune of Hoa Binh’s Lac Son district on February 5, or the eighth day of the Year of the Snake, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to partake in a variety of activities.
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