Held biennially on the seventh and eighth days of the Lunar New Year, the Coi communal house festival in Vu Binh commune, Lac Son district, honours Hoang Ba Quoc Mau, her sons - King Cun and King Hai - along with local deities who contributed to agricultural and social development. Beyond its spiritual significance, the festival offers visitors an immersive experience of Muong ethnic culture.

A showcase of traditional Muong attire at the Dinh Coi Festival aims to introduce and promote Muong cultural identity to visitors.
Muong
folk singing, particularly thuong rang bo meng and hat dup giao duyen, is a
festival highlight, attracting large crowds. Renowned Muong folk artist Bui Van
Chinh expressed pride in preserving and showcasing this cultural heritage,
noting the growing enthusiasm of both locals and tourists.
Festival-goers
also witness agricultural rituals accompanied by sacred Cheo Dinh dances and
resonant gong beats. Considered an auspicious start to the farming season, the
ceremonies reflect hopes for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and
national prosperity. The event also fosters community spirit and cultural
appreciation.
Following
the rituals, vibrant folk performances and traditional games bring the festival
to life. First-time visitor Le Diem Thao from Hanoi praised the well-organised
festivities, particularly the interactive folk games such as nem con (throwing
cloth balls), di ca kheo (stilt walking), and danh mang (bamboo percussion).
Ethnic sports like stick pushing and tug-of-war, alongside modern activities
like volleyball, further energised the celebrations.
The
2025 festival saw an expanded programme, including a Muong ethnic costume
contest with 40 participants and a gong performance competition among hamlet
teams.
Deputy
Chairman of the commune People's Committee Bui Minh Tang emphasised that the
festival, blending tradition with modern cultural exchanges, has become a key
spiritual tourism event.
Thousands
of visitors attended, engaging in cultural experiences, exploring local
customs, and enjoying OCOP-certified specialties. The event not only promotes
cultural preservation but also stimulates tourism and economic growth in the
region.
Recognising the importance of cultural heritage preservation in protecting and promoting the value system of Vietnamese culture, and serving socio-economic development in the new period, Party committees and local administrations in Hoa Binh province have identified it as a key task in the cultural development strategy. The province has been making efforts in mobilising resources, creating consensus among people and engaging ethnic communities in preserving and promoting cultural identity.
Hoa Binh province has captured growing attention both domestically and internationally for its distinctive cultural heritage and rich history. Most notably, it has been renowned for its famous Hoa Binh culture, considered the cradle of ancient Vietnamese civilisation. Looking ahead to significant milestones in 2025 and the 140th anniversary of province establishment in 2026, Hoa Binh Newspaper presents a comprehensive overview of the province's development across economic, social, cultural, tourism, and security domains.
Authorities in Luong Son district have officially recognised Sau communal house in Thanh Cao commune as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic site.
Hoa Binh province, renowned as the cradle of the Muong ethnic group and the celebrated Hoa Binh Civilisation, boasts rich and distinctive cultural heritage. Numerous local traditions and cultural assets have been recognised as part of the national tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
With flexibilities in preserving heritage in recent years, the Museum of Hoa Binh province has contributed to preserving and promoting the diverse historical and cultural values of the ethnic minority groups in the province.
In recent years, Hoa Binh has prioritised cultural diplomacy as a tool to promote the local image and cultural identity nationally and internationally. Cultural heritage preservation efforts and cultural exchanges have so far played a key role in driving sustainable tourism growth.