A delegation led by Vice Chairman of the Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Toan on March 13 examined the implementation of a plan on preserving and bringing into play the values of the Muong ethnic culture and the Hoa Binh Civilisation for the 2023 - 2030 period in Lac Son district.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee
Nguyen Van Toan and other officials make a fact-finding trip to the relic site
of Trai Hamlet Cave in Tan Lap commune, Lac Son district.
The delegation inspected the planning of the
restoration and upgrade of the national relic sites of Trai Hamlet Cave in Tan
Lap commune and Vanh Village Stone Shelter in Yen Phu commune. These are
outstanding and famous archaeological sites dating back to the Hoa Binh
Civilisation.
Trai Hamlet Cave was listed as a national relic
site by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture,
Sports and Tourism) in 2001 while Vanh Village Stone Shelter was granted the
status in 2003. The Hoa Binh provincial People’s Committee is submitting a
scientific dossier to the Prime Minister to seek the recognition of these two
relic sites as those of special national importance.
Under the plan on preserving and bringing into
play the values of the Muong ethnic culture and the Hoa Binh Civilisation for
2023 - 2030, the 3.08ha relic site area of Vanh Village Stone Shelter is
maintained while the area zoned for protection is 5.407ha, about 2.237ha larger
than planned. Trai Hamlet Cave has its relic site area kept at 1.48ha while the
area zoned for protection is 1.55ha, about 0.75ha larger than planned. As the
relic site of Trai Hamlet Cave holds much potential and advantages for
developing spiritual and leisure tourism, its area is set to be expanded to
9.5ha.
Roads to the relic sites, as well as their
exhibition halls, offices, spaces for events and festivals, service areas, and
other facilities will be expanded.
At the meeting with local authorities, Vice
Chairman Toan asked the Lac Son district People’s Committee to work closely
with relevant departments and sectors along with the consultation unit to
ensure the quality, long-term vision, and law adherence of the project on
restoring and upgrading the national relic sites of Trai Hamlet Cave and Vanh
Village Stone Shelter.
During the restoration and upgrade, the district
needs to consult with culture researchers to ensure the project meets the
requirements for preserving and promoting the relic sites’ cultural,
historical, and spiritual values in order to capitalise on the core values of
the Muong ethnic culture and the Hoa Binh Civilisation for sustainable tourism
development.
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.
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