Culture week to spotlight Vietnam’s natural heritages

11/21/2017 - 5:33:29 PM

The Green Heritage Culture and Tourism Week is being held in Hanoi on November 20-23 with a focus on honouring Vietnam’s natural heritages and raising public awareness on preserving the country’s biological diversity and environment.

Scenic beauty of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province

Under the theme ‘The Meeting Place of Human and Nature’, the event features the participation of 16 localities across the country, including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Giang, Thanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Kien Giang and Ho Chi Minh City, among others.

The participating localities joined hands to stage a grand exhibition on ‘Impressions of Vietnam’s natural heritages’, with works on display featuring their natural landscapes, cultural identities, and daily activities of the peoples.

The exhibition also highlights the bond between human and nature, thus raising responsibility among visitors in protecting the environment.

Traditional cultural practices of ethnic groups, who are living across Cau river in Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh and Hai Duong provinces, are also receiving the spotlight at the exhibition.

On the occasion, Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association introduces 100 photos capturing various heritage sites nationwide. The photos were selected from nearly 3,480 entries sent to the Vietnam Heritage Photo Contest 2017.

There are also booths hosted by each locality, which introduces visitors to tourist products, specialties and natural heritage sites, especially those recognised by UNESCO as world natural heritage sites, including Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve (Quang Ninh province), Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh province), Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex (Ninh Binh province), Can Gio Mangrove Forest (Ho Chi Minh City), Hoang Lien National Park (Lao Cai province).

In addition, activities targeting children and the youth are also scheduled during the festival, including a painting fest which will draw 16 fine arts clubs from elementary schools in Hanoi, and a contest on natural heritages, which will seeaw the competition among students from universities and collages of 16 participating localities.

Source: NDO

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.