(HBO) – Hoa Binh is a land of a long-lasting history and culture associated with the national construction and defence. It houses six main ethnic groups – namely Muong, Kinh, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong, of which the Muong account for more than 63% of the population.
Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, hands over certificates accrediting Hoa Binh’s bamboo calendar knowledge and Khai ha festival as national intangible cultural heritages.
The Khai ha festival of Muong people in Hoa Binh province reenacted at a local event in 2022.
In the field of culture, the province currently has a total of 786 intangible cultural heritages. Annually, it organises more than 60 festivals, which is a great potential to exploit and promote serving the local socio-economic development, especially in tourism.
The Khai ha festival of the Muong ethnic group in Hoa Binh is the biggest and oldest traditional folk event indispensable to the community on the occasion of the lunar new year.
It is now the fourth in the province to be recognised as a national intangible heritage. Such recognition honours the contributions by residents in the local four big Muong areas – Bi, Vang, Thang, Dong (now the districts of Tan Lac, Lac Son, Cao Phong, and Kim Boi). It forms a ‘trademark’ for the province, helping to popularise its heritages domestically and internationally. The local protection and promotion of the heritage is also benefited.
In the time to come, Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, suggested the local authorities, competent agencies, researchers, cultural managers, and locals make further efforts to promote the role and responsibility of the Muong community and to introduce to domestic and international friends the land, people, and cultural identity of Hoa Binh.
He noted that heritage-owning localities should pay attention to building promotion and communications programmes; creating favorable conditions for artisans in teaching heritage values in the community; and mobilising resources for the collection, preservation and publication of ancient documents related to all types of heritage in general.
The People's Committee should make proposals to the People's Council concerning the implementation of mechanisms and policies to preserve and develop specific cultural values of the province, the official said./.
The 10th art festival for the armed forces, youths and students of Hoa Binh province celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and 35th anniversary of the All People’s Defence Day wrapped up on April 25.
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.
