Traditional Muong ethnic costumes are performed in events, contributing to preserving and promoting their values in today's life.
Muong culture - living assets in the middle of the jungle
The Muong people of Hoa Binh have long created a rich treasure of cultural heritage, from Mo Muong, Muong gongs, the epic De dat, de country, to traditional festivals, folk knowledge, crafts, stilt houses, costumes, cuisine... Of which, Mo Muong and Muong gong art have been recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, and are being prepared to submit to UNESCO for recognition as world cultural heritage.
However, with the process of urbanization, globalization and the influence of modern life, many traditional cultural values of the Muong people are facing the risk of being lost. Only less than 10% of traditional stilt houses remain; the language, writing, costumes, and folk games are also gradually fading into the community's memory. More worriedly, the young generation is increasingly less interested in the Muong language, does not know or does not use their mother tongue in daily life.
In November 2023, the People's Committee of Hoa Binh province issued the Project "Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group and Hoa Binh culture in the period of 2023 - 2030", clearly demonstrating the political determination to preserve traditional cultural values in the context of the changing times. formation, the province aims to build a Muong ethnic cultural space in Tan Lac district - a "Muong cultural capital" with performance areas, organizing Khai Ha Festival, restoring ancient villages, developing community tourism... At the same time, renovating and embellishing relics such as Hang Xom Trai (Tan Lap commune) and Mai Da Lang Vanh (Yen Phu commune, Lac Son district), preparing a dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage.
The system of traditional festivals of the four major Muongs of the province such as Muong Bi, Muong Thang, and Muong Dong is gradually being restored at the provincial level, creating unique cultural and tourism products. In 2022, the Muong ethnic Khai Ha Festival was listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. From 2023 to 2025, the Muong ethnic Khai Ha Festival will be held at the provincial level, opening up opportunities to further promote the image of the Muong people of Hoa Binh to domestic and international friends.
At the 2025 Muong Ethnic Opening Festival, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Mai, a tourist from Hanoi attending the festival for the first time, shared: I was very impressed with the Muong cultural space at the Opening Festival. From the bustling gong sounds, traditional dances to ethnic cuisine, all brought very special emotions. This is not only a tour, but also a journey to experience and understand the depth of Muong culture.
In particular, in 2016, the province built and officially put into use the Muong ethnic writing system. This is an important milestone associated with the history of the province's development. According to folklore researcher Bui Huy Vong, the birth of the Muong ethnic writing system plays an important role in preserving the Mo Muong intangible cultural heritage, because only writing can record Mo Muong accurately, completely and scientifically. From this official record, Mo Muong is translated into English and other languages to serve the purpose of scientific records. In addition, the Muong language affirms its longevity and national cultural capital in folk songs, antiphonal singing, Thuong Rang, Bo Meng...
The Muong ethnic group's Khai Ha Festival is held annually to introduce cultural identity to domestic and foreign tourists.
Nurturing identity
As someone who has always accompanied and listened to the opinions of voters and people of Hoa Binh province (old) for many years, comrade Bui Van Luyen - Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Phu Tho province expressed his concern: Voters hope that after the province's merger, Muong ethnic culture will continue to receive due attention. Sustainable development is impossible if the identity is allowed to fade. Culture is not just for display but must live in the community. Identity is the soft capacity that creates the province's endogenous strength and Muong culture is an irreplaceable part of that whole.
Merger is not only a problem of administrative boundaries, but also raises big questions about positioning regional identity, so as not to be dissolved among many cultural aspects. With Hoa Binh, Muong culture plays a major role, so preserving national culture is not only preserving a heritage, but also preserving a separate "ego", which is the foundation for contributing to the common identity of the new province.
From festival preservation policies, stilt house restoration, brocade weaving restoration, Muong language classes, improving artisans' treatment... to combining culture with tourism development, every step needs to be linked to a long-term strategy. Culture needs to live in the community, not just displayed in museums. Artisans who hold Mo Muong knowledge need to be properly honored and supported in teaching. Each Muong language class not only helps students understand their roots, but is also a continuing source of culture.
In the coming period, with the existing foundation, Phu Tho province will continue to strongly mobilize the participation of the entire political system and community, from integrating cultural conservation contents into socio-economic development planning, to socializing resources for heritage conservation. From widely disseminating the value of Muong culture, to encourage people to create cultural and tourism products with their own mark, turning heritage into assets that contribute to improving the lives of local people.
Culture is the thread connecting the past - present - future. In the new administrative space, Muong culture is a fulcrum for harmonious and sustainable development. Therefore, preserving the roots and nurturing the identity is a way for the cultural values of the Muong people to not only "integrate" but also "elevate".
Huong Lan
Source: https://baophutho.vn/giu-hon-dan-toc-muong-trong-dong-chay-hoi-nhap-235574.htm
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