In the aesthetic concept of the Mong people, a woman's beauty is partly reflected through her clothes. In Mai Chau district, there are two communes inhabited by the Mong ethnic people, namely Hang Kia and Pa Co, with a combined population of over 6,000. Despite the strong development of the society, the cultural identity, notably traditional costumes, of local people is still preserved and promoted.
Mong ethnic costumes are regularly
used by locals, contributing to the attractiveness of community-based tourism
in Pa Co commune (Mai Chau).
As a local, besides working as a preschool
teacher, Sung Y Do in Cha Day hamlet, Pa Co commune, is also very passionate
about preserving traditional culture, especially linen weaving, fabric dyeing,
sewing, and embroidering costumes. She also shows her love for ethnic costumes
through her habit of wearing them at school and in her daily life.
In recent years, thanks to the promotion of
potential and strengths of natural resources and human resources, the two
communes have become attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.
Local Party committees and authorities have paid attention to maintaining the
organisation of festivals and cultural, art and sport activities to attract
locals to preserving cultural identity and ethnic costumes associated with
promoting community-based tourism development.
As a result, people use traditional
costumes more and more commonly. Many Mong women still wear traditional dresses
while working. On market days, holidays, and Tet, people wear their best
outfits to go out to festivals. In Pa Co commune, there is a traditional
brocade weaving village that maintains its activities, helping visitors
experience stages of making costumes. Another interesting destination in the
commune is Mong Space, Cha Day hamlet, where many traditional costumes that
have been used for hundreds of years are on display to introduce and promote
their beauty, and gradually turn the costumes of the Mong ethnic people in Mai
Chau district into a unique tourism product.
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.
The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In the evening of March 28th, in Hoa Binh, the Department of Grassroots Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) coordinated with the provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city to organize a mobile propaganda contest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7th, 1954 - May 7th, 2024) with the theme "Returning to Dien Bien”. There ứa the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; the representatives of the leaders from a number of departments, branches and numerous veterans and Hoa Binh people.
In responding to the movement of "All people stay united to build cultural lifestyle”, over the years, Kim Boi district has conducted many practical and effective activities to promote solidarity and mutual support among the local community in sustainable poverty reduction and building cultural lifestyle and a healthy cultural environment, and maintaining national cultural identity.