Held every three years, the swing festival in Muong Voi, Vu Ban town in Lac Son district is "one-of-a-kind". From the 5th to the 7th day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Dragon, thousands of residents and tourists flocked to the locality to experience the unique cultural festival.
Visitors join the swing festival in the Lunar New Year Festival 2024.
Accordingto thelegendpassed down by the local elderly, gods
worshipped at the Cay Si temple were credited with teaching people of Muong Voi
how to cultivate fields, build embankments to control water flow, and conduct
water to fields. They also taught the people how to cultivate rice, and cotton
for weaving fabric. In gratitude for the merits and teachings of the gods,
residents built a temple to worship them.
The Muong village usually holds the swing festival immediately after completing
rituals at the Cay Si temple to invite the gods to join them.
The two old people start the game first. Following them, a young couple chosen
by villagers will join in, marking the beginning of the festival. Winning teams
are usually couples that have the same mindset, strength, courage, and
confidence.
Nguyen Duc Giang, a tourist from Nam Dinh province, said the festival offers a
chance for him to experience and immerse himself in the festive atmosphere in
the locality.
In addition to swinging, visitors can also join many other
unique folk games of the Muong ethnic people, such as tug-of-war, and Nem con
(shuttlecock throwing). Notably, this year's Muong Voi swing festival featured a Muong gong performance
by 150 artisans, a "dum” singing performance by elderly artisans, and an art
exchange night.
According to Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Vu Ban town Bui Thi
Thi, the festival is a pride of locals in particular and those in Lac Son
district in general.
Along with others, this unique festival has contributed to preserving and
promoting the unique historical and cultural value and heritage of the Muong
ethnic group, and attracting visitors to the locality.
On November 6, the residential area, Nam Thai hamlet, Doan Ket commune (Yen Thuy) organized the Great National Solidarity Festival and celebrated the 94th anniversary of the traditional day of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18, 1930 - November 18, 2024). There was the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Tien Sinh, the Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, the Chairman of the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission, and the leaders of the appropriate departments and branches of the province and Yen Thuy district.
The authorities and community in Yen Thuy district are dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of ethnic groups in the locality. Yen Thuy is home to seven ethnic groups, with the Muong making up over 69% of the population.
A great national solidarity festival was held in Ngai hamlet, Thach Yen commune, Cao Phong district, on November 8. Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoa Binh province Bui Van Khanh, and Colonel Trinh Duc Thiem, Commander of the provincial Military Command, attended the event.
A great national unity festival was held in Cau Son hamlet in Nhuan Trach commune of Luong Son district on November 10.
The organising board for the Hoa Binh Culture and Tourism Week 2024 has officially released its press statement.
The People’s Committee of Hoa Binh province held a press conference on November 5 to announce the details of its upcoming 2024 Culture-Tourism Week.