Hoa Binh province has paid due attention to preserving and managing local cultural relic sites in tandem with branching out tourism, contributing to the socio-economic development.
Chua Tien (Tien pagoda) festival in Lac Thuy district is
organised annually to preserve and promote the values of the relic complex.
Notable preservation efforts have been seen in
the Chua Tien landscape and relic complex, which boasts untouched beauty with
magical stalactite caves.
According to Vice Chairman of the Lac Thuy
district People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc Van, the Chua Tien (Tien pagoda) scenic
spot and relic complex has 21 relics, including historical, cultural,
archaeological ones and landscapes. Outstanding caves such as Mau Long, Tam Hoa
and Tien have lured many visitors.
The construction of Huong Binh cable line,
connecting the pagoda with the Huong pagoda complex in My Duc district, Hanoi,
which is underway, will open up a new direction for local tourism development,
he said, adding the Tien pagoda festival was organised at the provincial level
in 2024, meeting local residents’ needs for cultural and religious activities,
and helping introduce ethnic cultural heritage and bolster local tourism
development.
Deputy Director of the provincial Department of
Culture, Sports and Tuorism Luu Huy Linh said that local relics and scenic
spots have been well managed and renovated, with 293 historical-cultural relic
sites in the province’s list of protected ones, and 112 classified as national
relic sites (41) and provincial-level sites (71).
Several historical-cultural relics have become
not only tourist attractions but also destinations for revolutionary education
such as Muong Khoi war zone, an archaeological site in Trai hamlet, Thach Yen
revolutionary base, and Dau Rong cave scenic complex, he said.
However, he pointed out several challenges to
the management of local relic sites, including limited awareness of several
party committees and administrations, a shortage of capital for restoration and
renovation work, as well as low efficiency of the communications work.
With a view to effectively carrying out the
province’s policy to create a breakthrough in development through preserving
and promoting the values of ethnic culture, improving the efficacy of the state
management and mobilising resources for the renovation work, the standing board
of the provincial Party Committee issued a directive dated June 28, ordering
enhanced communications work on related documents and policies.
According to Linh, departments, branches,
sectors and the People’s Committees of districts and Hoa Binh city must step up
state management over local historical-cultural relic sites, allocate budget
for and build mechanisms and policies to mobilise resources for the restoration
work, and focus on the study and popularisation of the values of relic sites
belonging to the "Hoa Binh Culture”. He also noted the need to study the
application of science technology in the preservation and promotion work, and
develop high-quality human resources in the area.
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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