In the modern rhythm of life, Muong people in Hoa Binh still retain their own cultural identity. Especially in Muong Vang (Lac Son) region, it is known as the land of folk songs with sweet and deep emotions.



The artisans and actors from Thuong Coc commune are competing in Muong folk songs at Lac Son district’s Ethnic Minority Folk Arts Festival in 2023.


Mr. Bui Van Chung, the Chairman of Muong Bai Chin Singing Club in Dinh Cu commune, proudly says: For us, the love for Muong folk singing has penetrated deeply, blending with the love for the homeland and the country. More and more members and people having the same interests and passion for folk songs, are joining the club. We not only sing for each other but we also exchange and perform to bring our lyrics and singing to everyone. The love for folk songs also contributes to spreading the fire to the community, attracting the participation of a number of teenagers.

"Muong Khu singing” is also one of the clubs that has activities to preserve and promote Muong folk songs such as the prominent Thuong Rang and Bo Meng. Initially, the club had 22 members but now there are over 30 talented artisans and Muong folk music lovers in 3 highland communes, Ngoc Son, Ngoc Lau and Tu Do. The youngest person was born in 1983, the oldest was born in 1954. According to Mr. Bui Van Hanh, the Chairman of the club, every month, the club has regular activities and it has organized hundreds of exchanges with the clubs inside and outside the district as well as Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh provinces. Along with teaching the young people Dum singing, Thuong Rang and Bo Meng singing, the club has built a Youtube channel "Singing in Muong language in Hoa Binh” with 14.5 thousand subscribers and about 8 million views.

In Muong Vang region, there are many sweet voices that touch the hearts of listeners. Among them is the Meritorious Artist, Quach Thi Lon, (born 1978) from Khanh hamlet, An Nghia commune. Ms. Lon confides: "The song has followed me throughout my childhood along with the warm lullabies of my mother and grandmother. When I was a little older, I followed the sisters in the neighborhood to sing to see the soldiers off for the army. In spring festivals and weddings in the villages, I often sing for fun. I am also always present in the cultural and artistic activities.” Over the years, with further improvement and technical learning, the artist Lon's voice is increasingly beautiful, has her own qualities and has reached high artistry. Currently, she has set up her own YouTube channel to convey her love for Muong folk songs. At the same time, she practices teaching Muong folk singing to the lovers and the younger generation.

According to Mr. Nguyen The Hung, the Head of the District’s Culture and Information Department, in recent years, the local Party Committees and the authorities have always encouraged and created conditions for the practice environment for folk singing, Thuong Rang and Bo Meng singing of Muong ethnic group so that they are preserved and developed. In weddings, longevity celebrations, and celebrations of new homes, many families invite Muong singers to sing for fun, praise and Dum singing, Thuong Rang and Bo Meng singing for the whole family, relatives, and neighbors to listen to. On Tet days, some hamlets and villages organize Muong folk song performances, Xec Bua singing to welcome Tet and sing Muong folk songs that praise and bless the homeowner. Festival activities at Khoi communal house - An Nghia commune, Coi communal house - Vu Binh commune or Khanh communal house - Van Son commune... cannot lack the performances and folk singing exchanges, contributing to attracting the people and tourists to the festival.

Singing Muong folk songs, Thuong Rang and Bo Meng, is also focused on being included in the cultural and artistic activities at the grassroots levels, the contest programs, the public art shows... Especially, in 2023, Lac Son district organized the Folk Art Festival of the ethnic minorities with the participation of over 500 artisans and actors from the communes and the town, with the aim of collecting, preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity, intangible cultural heritage, including Muong folk songs. The festival has promoted the mass arts movements at the grassroots, meeting the need for the cultural and spiritual enjoyment of all classes of people. In order to preserve and further spread folk songs in community life, in addition to coordinating with artisans to open classes to teach intangible cultural heritage, Thuong Rang and Bo Meng singing, Lac Son district has paid attention to bringing folk songs into schools to maintain and continue. Currently, many schools in the Cong Hoa and Quyet Thang areas have established the art teams and groups with the same love for Muong folk songs, and they have organized many programs and activities to popularize, educate, and promote self-esteem proud for singing Muong folk songs among the young people, teenagers, and students.

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