(HBO) – Hoa Binh City hosted a popularisation competition from July 30 – 31, bringing together nearly 500 performers and presenters from 19 commune- and ward-level teams.

A performance at the provincial popularisation competition.
Contestants competed in four categories,
including verbal popularisation, singing, dancing and theatrical acts.
Performances focused on praising the Communist Party of Vietnam and President
Ho Chi Minh; promoting new-style rural development; COVID-19 prevention and
control; and preserving the national cultural identity, etc. Each performance
lasted no longer than 30 minutes.
According to the Organising Committee, this year
all teams have prepared thoroughly in terms of content, setting, acting,
costumes and others. Their performances were consistent in the theme, lively,
easy to memorise and comprehensible, and reflected harmonious combination. The
most well-received included theatrical acts "Nguoi giu hon Muong” (Keeper of
Muong soul) of Tan Thinh ward, "Roong mo nhan nghia” of Yen Mong commune, and
"Bao ton va phat huy gia tri di san cac dan toc tinh Hoa Binh” (Preserving and
promoting heritages of Hoa Binh province’s ethnic minority groups).
After the two-day contest, 21 A, 29 B and 29 C
prizes were awarded to performances in all the four categories. Best performer
awards were given to those from the wards of Tan Hoa, Ky Son, and Tan Thinh.
First prizes for the best teams went to three
wards of Tan Thinh, Ky Son and Yen Mong. Five second and seven third prizes
were also presented./.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.