(HBO) – The Khai ha (going down to the field) festival at Dinh Ngoi – a communal house in Quynh Lam ward, Hoa Binh city – opened on January 30 or the 9th day of the first month of the lunar year.
The procession of Via Lua (the Spirit of Rice) to
Dinh Ngoi opens the festival.
Dinh Ngoi is where several gods are worshipped including Tan
Vien Son Thanh – one of The Four Immortals in traditional Vietnamese mythology,
and those guarding the village against disasters and bringing it fortune.
The festival, taking place on the 8th and 9th days of the
lunar year annually, aims at paying respect to the gods and ancestors who
contributed to the protection and development of the land as well as at praying
for a new year of favourable weather, bumper harvest, and peaceful life.
It is often held solemnly with a host of rituals, including
the processions of the Spirit of Water and the Spirit of Rice, and an incense
offering ceremony. The event also features musical exchanges, gong
performances, culinary delights of the Muong ethnic community, sport
competitions, and folk games.
The organisation of the annual celebration is intended to
conserve local cultural and historical values, educate the younger generation
on these traditions, and to introduce the local beliefs to visitors./.
As part of Project 6 under the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2024, Lạc Sơn District, Hoa Binh province focuses on diverse and practical activities to promote the project's goal: "Preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in conjunction with tourism development."
After 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 11, 2021 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoa Binh province's ethnic groups in the period of 2021 – 2025 with the orientation to 2030 (NQ04), it has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, the people from all walks of life and there have been positive changes. So far, out of the 10 targets of NQ04, 3 targets have been met and exceeded the plan set for 2025. Typically, 70% of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of ethnic groups in the province is on the list of the national ICH items and they have been protected and restored, exceeding 20% of the proposed Resolution.
Great National Unity Day has been recently celebrated in Duong hamlet, Vay Nua commune, Da Bac district, in an atmosphere of warmth and community spirit. The event highlighted national identity and strengthened the bond of solidarity among residents.
On November 28, the People's Committee of Cao Phong district organized the Cultural and Sports Festival of Cao Phong district's ethnic groups in 2024.
