Having applied himself to researching and preserving traditional culture, Meritorious Artisan Bui Huy Vong in Huong Nhuong commune, Lac Son district, has won high regard from many people for his dedication to the Muong ethnic culture.

 


Meritorious Artisan Bui Huy Vong shares his journey to research and preserve the Muong ethnic group’s culture.

Vong said researching and preserving the Muong culture and bringing into play the good cultural values of ancestors in the modern life is an arduous journey. However, thanks to support from district and grassroots authorities as well as local artisans, he has obtained certain achievements.

In particular, he has helped with the restoration of some traditional festivals such as those of the Khenh Communal House in Van Son commune, the Bang Communal House in Ngoc Son commune, and the Khoi Communal House in An Nghia commune. He has written and published nearly 20 books, about 10 scientific articles on specialised magazines, along with hundreds of articles, short stories, and research papers on central and local media agencies.

Recalling difficulties and endeavours in the restoration of local temples and festivals, Vong noted it took almost 10 years, from 2001 to 2010, to rehabilitate the main hall of the Bang Communal House, but it was not until 2016 that the Chay Dat - Chay Muong ritual of this site’s festival was revived. Besides, it took up to 15 years, from 2003 to 2018, to have the main hall and festival of the Khenh Communal House restored.

As the core zone of the Muong culture, Lac Son district has also paid attention to revitalising the Muong ethnic singing. As a result, the folk singing movement has become popular in the local community over the last 10 years. Five clubs of "thuong rang” and "bo meng”, two types of the Muong folk singing, have come into being, drawing more than 200 artisans.

Not only an artisan, collector, and researcher, Vong is also one of the first person to post video clips about the Muong singing on YouTube, attracting millions of viewers.

However, he is still concerned that many valuable cultural heritages like the Vanh village stone shelter, the Trai hamlet cave, Mo Muong, Muong gongs, as well as the customs and folk songs of Muong people remain untapped. District authorities have just restored traditional festivals and utilised the ethnic group’s space and cuisine for tourism development.

Vong expressed his hope that the local Party Committee and People's administration will hold regular meetings with artisans, collectors, researchers, and those preserving the traditional culture. They should create a space at major events and folk festivals for Muong singing artisans in Lac Son, as well as those from across Hoa Binh province and other localities, to engage in exchanges. In addition, it is important to pay more heed to tourism promotion to bring into play the role of the local community and artisans of the Muong culture.

 


Related Topics


Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

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, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

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.

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

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.

Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

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.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

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 – National intangible cultural heritage

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.