The community preserves the soul of its heritage.

- In the broader picture of Vietnamese culture, Lang Son stands out as a vibrant color, embodying many unique cultural heritage values ​​in the northern mountainous region. Over the years, to ensure the proper preservation of this cultural heritage, alongside state management agencies, the role of the community that holds the heritage has been emphasized and actively promoted.

A spectacular mass performance of the Chau Then dance, presented by numerous local people, took place at the opening ceremony of the first Bang Mac Commune Ethnic Culture Festival in 2026.

Cultural heritage is the crystallization of spiritual, aesthetic, ethical, intellectual, and historical values ​​passed down by generations of ancestors. It encompasses not only ancient architectural structures and valuable artifacts, but also folk songs, religious rituals, traditional festivals, and folk knowledge that have existed and developed within community life over many generations.

Heritage Preservation Center

A vivid testament to the community's leading role is the dedicated team of artisans who are tirelessly preserving the cultural heritage of their localities. Specifically, the province currently has over 600 artisans who make then (a type of traditional Vietnamese folk dance), including 10 who know how to make costumes and props. In addition, for the lion dance, the province has 725 artisans who can perform the dances and acts, and 60 artisans who can craft lion heads and props.

In practice, communities play a particularly important role in preserving and promoting heritage values. They are not only keepers of memory, but also direct practitioners, creators, and transmitters of cultural values ​​to future generations.

Residents of Block 7, Tam Thanh Ward, perform Then singing and Tinh lute playing at the Khon Leng Village Rice Planting Festival in 2026.

The Vietnamese belief in the worship of the Three Realms Mother Goddess is one of two heritage sites in Lang Son province recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. To ensure the widespread dissemination of the positive values ​​of this belief, the crucial role of artisans cannot be overlooked. Having diligently practiced, preserved, and propagated this unique cultural aspect for nearly 40 years, Meritorious Artisan Thin Thu Huong deeply understands the central role of artisans in bringing the worship of the Mother Goddess to a wider audience.

Artist Thin Thu Huong shared: "I always believe I have a responsibility to preserve the original values, and at the same time, to teach and spread the Mother Goddess worship belief so that it not only exists within the temple space but also becomes a vibrant part of the cultural life of the people. For many years, I have regularly participated in performances and rituals of Mother Goddess worship at many festivals and competitions both domestically and internationally, such as: the expanded Lang Son province Chau Van performance festival in 2018, 2019, 2024, and 2025; performing and introducing Vietnamese cultural heritage in the Vietnam-Myanmar people-to-people exchange program in 2018…

Not only in the field of intangible cultural heritage, but the province's tangible heritage system is also incredibly diverse and rich. The province currently has 420 historical sites, of which 145 are classified, including 2 special national historical sites, 33 national historical sites, and 110 provincial-level historical sites. Most of these sites, especially religious sites, are directly cared for and protected by the community. What is commendable is that this work stems from a genuine love for the sites, even in places without any financial support.

For example, at Vang Khac communal house in Thong Nhat commune, the daily rituals, cleaning, and altar maintenance are all handled by the elderly members of the Dinh family. Mr. Dinh Van Hoa, the caretaker of Vang Khac communal house, said: "I have been involved in this work for about 10 years. Every day, I am present at the communal house to light incense, clean, and maintain a clean and solemn atmosphere. When tourists come to visit and worship, I also directly introduce them to the history and value of the monument. For me, this commitment stems from affection and responsibility towards the communal house."

Harnessing the power of the community

Lang Son possesses a rich cultural heritage of seven ethnic groups living together. With their concentrated settlements, each ethnic group has created its own distinctive cultural regions. To date, the vitality of Lang Son's heritage has been affirmed through concrete results: the province currently has two intangible cultural heritage sites representing humanity (the Then ritual practices of the Tay and Nung people and the Mother Goddess worship of the Vietnamese people); 10 national-level heritage sites, along with a system of over 400 historical relics and over 280 traditional festivals.

Along with other localities nationwide, in recent years, all levels and sectors in the province have been striving to revive and promote the values ​​of cultural heritage, with particular emphasis on the role of the community. At the same time, they have intensified propaganda and raised awareness among officials, Party members, and the people about the importance, significance, and necessity of preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage.

Mr. Nguyen Dang An, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province, said: "Every year, we have directed specialized departments to coordinate with relevant agencies and units to promote widespread dissemination of documents, laws, regulations, and resolutions on cultural heritage to the community so that people understand their role and responsibility in the preservation of cultural heritage. In addition, we also guide localities to establish community-based self-governing models and management boards for historical sites, where the people themselves oversee them or combine community self-governance with assistance from the State."

Furthermore, in recent years, cultural and folk dance clubs and groups have been formed and developed strongly in many wards and communes, creating cultural "nucleuses" at the grassroots level. Just since 2021, the province has established over 30 folk culture clubs and groups, bringing the total to nearly 400 units with thousands of members participating. These members play a crucial role in bringing heritage from traditional spaces into modern life. Through competitions, performances, markets, and major festivals, they are the ones who directly create unique folk cultural experiences, making a significant contribution to promoting the image of their homeland and fostering sustainable tourism development in the locality.

One of the highlights of promoting the community's role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage is the socialization of spring festival organization. For example, in Block 7, Tam Thanh Ward, where the traditional Khon Leng Village Long Tong Festival takes place on the 16th day of the first lunar month every year, the organization, funding for purchasing offerings, and the cultural performances and rituals of the festival are all carried out by the local people.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Secretary and Head of Block 7, Tam Thanh Ward, said: "To prepare for the festival, all work was carried out half a month in advance. The block held meetings and assigned tasks to each person; everyone was assigned their own job. Those participating in serving and performing at the festival are all local residents. They gathered together and practiced together, creating a sense of community. In particular, the majority of the festival's funding came from contributions from families in the area."

Furthermore, in recent years, the development of community-based tourism models linked to the preservation of cultural identity in several communes such as Huu Lien, Vu Lang, Bac Son, Binh Gia, etc., has contributed to protecting ecological resources, preserving and promoting the unique cultural features of ethnic groups, creating jobs for local laborers, and promoting sustainable socio-economic development. A key attraction of these community tourism destinations is the evening community cultural activities, where local culture is conveyed with genuine emotion and performances by the local people themselves.

When the community truly becomes the main actors, cultural heritage will no longer be static values, but will become a vibrant flow, closely intertwined with social life. In the coming time, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to effectively organize the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, while further strengthening the role of the community and society.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/giu-hon-di-san-tu-cong-dong-5083391.html