As usual, the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere of the Mong ethnic people in Mai Chau district is bustling at this time. Houses nestled on hillsides are filled with laughter and wishes for good luck in the new year. This year, people celebrate Tet with more excitement as their lives get better.

People in Hang Kia commune (Mai Chau)
prepare sheets of paper to stick around their houses, considered talismans to
bless their families with good health, luck, and prosperity in the new year.
According to traditional customs, Mong people celebrate
their traditional Tet one month before the national Lunar New Year holiday.
That is the time when people rest after rice and corn crops have been
harvested.
The family of Vang A Tenh, who lives in Thung Ang village
which is about 15km from Hang Kia commune’s centre, is busy preparing wine and
meat to welcome their relatives. The village has 124 households and all of them
are Mong ethnic people.
This year, the family decided to slaughter a pig for Tet and
prepare six trays of food for guests. The remaining pork was salted and hung in
the kitchen for use later.
Last year there were only a few dishes along with some corn
cakes, men men (steamed corn flour – an indispensable traditional food of the
Mong ethnic people) and wine, but this year witnesses many changes because
people’s living conditions have been improved. There are dozens of dishes made
from pork while banh giay (round glutinous rice cake) is replaced by sticky
rice.
This year, his family is much happier as they welcome many
guests. In Mong people’s perception, a lot of people visiting a family on this
occasion is believed to bring good fortune to the host. After a year of hard
work, this is the time for people to gather, chat with each other and wish for
good luck in the new year.
"A few years ago, it was difficult to raise pigs and cows
and people did not dare to slaughter them,” Tenh said.
This year, his family has escaped poverty and can slaughter
a pig to celebrate Tet, he said, adding that many households in the
neighbourhood follow suit so it's very happy.
During the Tet holidays, children accompany their parents to
visit relatives and friends. Young people in new clothes wander around the
village and play traditional games. This is also an opportunity for couples to
confess their love.
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.