Cultural and sport activities are booming in Cao Sơn commune (Luong Son district), contributing to building a civilised cultural life, strengthening solidarity spirit, and successfully fulfilling local socio-economic development tasks.
Cao Sơn commune (Luong Son district) has installed fitness equipment systems, creating favourable conditions for local people to exercise and improve their health.
Every afternoon, the yard in front of Dam Da village cultural house is bustling with sports activities. Depending on preferences and age, people choose to practice the kind of sport that is suitable for their health such as volleyball and badminton.
Hoang Van Quy, a resident in Dam Da village, said that volleyball is the favourite sport of many villagers. Volleyball not only helps him improve his health but also provides an opportunity for him to meet and exchange with those who share the same passion, he continued.
In recent years, the cultural and sports movements in the commune have expanded in both quantity and quality. Among them, the "All people unite to build cultural life" movement is a typical example, which is associated with the "All people take exercise following the example of great Uncle Ho” movement.
All villages have their own art troupes which help preserve the cultural identity of the local Muong ethnic group. Folk dance clubs have also been established and operated regularly.
Regarding the sports movement, Cao Son commune is regarded as one of the outstanding areas in such sports as volleyball, archery and stick-pushing competitions. Teams of the commune have achieved high results in sports competitions at district-level.
Over 20% of the commune’s population regularly practise sports, with the most active ones being young people, women and the elderly. Volleyball and football clubs have been set up in all villages.
To promote the cultural and sports movements, local authority has directed agencies and mass organisations to maintain playgrounds which create a lively atmosphere and foster solidarity.
The commune organises cultural and sports activities as well exchange programmes on occasions such as national holidays. Investment is poured in upgrading cultural houses at villages to meet the criteria of new-style rural areas.
As a result, the cultural and spiritual life of local people has been improved. Last year, the per capita income in the commune reached 43 million VND (about 1,690 USD). Nearly 89% of households were recognised as cultural families and all villages met standards of cultural residential areas.
Bui Minh Chau, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Sơn commune, said that in the coming time, local authorities will continue to direct agencies and organisations to encourage people’s active participation in cultural and sports activities. The commune will mobilise resources to build cultural infrastructure at the grassroots level as well as commend collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in cultural and sports movements, thus contributing to the construction of new-style rural areas and civilised urban areas, he added.
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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