(HBO) - On April 14, Hoa Binh College of Economics and Technology, Hoa Binh College of Engineering and Technology cooperated with the Provincial Youth Union to organize Laos Bunpimay Traditional New Year for the international students and students studying at these two schools. There was the attendance of the leaders from the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, the Provincial Public Security, Vietnam - Lao Friendship Association and Lao - Thai Friendship Association of Overseas Vietnamese.

The leaders from the Department
of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs were giving gifts to congratulate
Laos students on the occasion of the traditional New Year.
Bunpimay is a traditional Laos
New Year that takes place from April 14-16 every year. On these days, the
people splash water to pray for good luck and peace for the whole year.
Currently, there are 58
international students studying in Hoa Binh College of Economics and Technology
and Hoa Binh College of Engineering and Technology. In addition to the human
resource training, the schools have created the best conditions for the
students to study, live and organize many meaningful and practical activities
to help them integrate and strengthen Vietnam - Laos friendship and solidarity.
On the occasion of the
traditional New Year, the participants and the school gave flowers, sent their
best wishes to the students, and welcomed the new year with the traditional
ceremony of tying the thread, the cultural and culinary exchanges.
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 This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.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.