(HBO) - Authorities of Hoa Binh have exerted great efforts to preserve the culture value of traditional markets of ethnic minorities in the province.
Pa Co market in Mai Chau
district offers a chance for tourists to enjoy interesting experiences of
national cultural identity.
Tourists should not miss the opportunity to join Lung Van market (also known as
Bo market) in Tan Lac district every Tuesday. On the day, local residents bring
to the market unique products and specialties for sale. Most of the items on
sale are bitter and sour bamboo shoots, mac khen anddoi seeds,
handicrafts, traditional textile textile products, and medicine of Dao and
Muong people.
According to Xa Van Tuan in Chieng Cang hamlet, Muong Chieng commune (Da Bac
district), almost those who go to the market is well-dressed and they are very
friendly. They come to meet friends and relatives, and participate in
traditional cultural and art activities.
One thing that is easy to see in many markets is that ethnic minorities,
especially Tay and Dao people in Da Bac district, Muong people in Tan Lac, Lac
Son and Kim Boi districts; and Mong people in Mai Chau district, always have a
sense of preserving their cultural identity through the language and clothes
they wear when going to the market.
However, Vice Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and
Tourism Luu Huy Linh said the local authorities have faced challenges in
preserving traditional markets in ethnic minority areas.
The increasing population along with the process of urbanisation have narrowed
the space of markets. The growing number of goods and shoppers have limited
space for cultural activities in markets.
As part of the efforts to preserve traditional markets in the locality, the
People’s Committee of Mai Chau district put a market model in the district into
operation in 2019, aiming to promote national cultural identities and attract
tourists. The market is organised every Sunday, becoming an attractive
destination for domestic and international tourists.
Recently, initiated by a member of Cha Day village’s farmers’ association, a
night market model for cultural exchange is held once a week on Saturday in Pa
Co commune of Mai Chau district, helping to promote socio-economic and tourism
development in the locality./.
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.
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