A living legacy in everyday life.
The cultural heritage that is vividly present in life today is not the result of spontaneous preservation, but rather the outcome of a well-planned process. From central government resolutions to provincial policies and action programs, Tuyen Quang consistently maintains the view that cultural preservation must originate from the community, with the people as the main actors, so that heritage can "live" in everyday life and be passed on sustainably.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, many cultural heritages in Tuyen Quang are still being preserved and passed down naturally. For example, the Fire Dance Festival of the Pa Then people, held on December 5th, 2025 in My Bac village, Tan Trinh commune, on a provincial scale, is a vivid example. As night falls in the mountains and forests, the flickering firelight illuminates the space, the drums and gongs resound, and barefoot Pa Then men walk on the blazing embers, witnessed and cheered by a large crowd of tourists and locals.
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| The coming-of-age ceremony of the Tay people in Dong Yen commune. |
Hidden behind these dances that challenge human limits lies the cultural and spiritual depth of a community intimately connected to nature. The Fire Dance Festival expresses the aspiration to conquer nature, the belief in the spiritual power and protection of deities; it is also a symbol of community cohesion, of the preservation and transmission of cultural values from generation to generation.
With these unique values, in 2012, the Fire Dance Festival of the Pà Thẻn people was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage and is held annually on the 16th day of the 10th lunar month. Artisan Sìn Văn Phong said: "The Fire Dance is a traditional festival associated with the ritual of passing on the shamanic profession and giving thanks to the spirits for blessing the villagers with a bountiful harvest, a prosperous and happy life."
The spread of heritage is also clearly felt by tourists. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (Hanoi) shared: “The festival is very sacred and rich in identity. I clearly feel the people's connection to traditional culture and see that Tuyen Quang has great potential for developing cultural tourism .”
Cultural heritage is not only present in festivals, but also lives on in the daily lives of the ethnic communities. In Bach Xa commune, despite the difficult economic conditions, the sounds of the Tinh lute and Then songs always resonate, becoming a connecting thread for the community.
Ms. Nong Thi Bien, head of the Then singing and Tinh lute club in Bach Xa commune, said that this is not only a place for teaching ethnic culture, but also a space for interaction and sharing, helping women to bond and love their identity even more. Ms. Hoang Thi Hoa, a member of the club, expressed: "When the Tinh lute and Then melodies are played, everyone feels as one; participating in the activities makes me more aware of my responsibility to preserve the ethnic heritage."
From these specific models, it can be seen that the province's resolutions on culture have gradually been implemented, creating conditions for heritage to be transmitted naturally and sustainably within the community.
Foundation for sustainable development
Tuyen Quang – a land with a vast, diverse, and rich cultural space, a melting pot of cultures and ethnic groups, boasting a rich system of festivals and unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage. On this land, traditional cultural values intertwine with a long history of revolution, creating a distinct identity for the homeland.
The province currently has 794 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, including 3 special national relics: Tan Trao Historical Relic Area, Kim Binh Historical Relic Area, and Na Hang - Lam Binh Special National Scenic Spot. Tuyen Quang is also considered a "revolutionary museum" with more than 435 historical relics of the revolution and resistance - significant sites that play a crucial role in educating future generations about patriotic traditions.
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| The conical hat with two layers, made by the Tay ethnic group in Xuan Giang commune, has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. |
In addition, the province has one intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the Then ritual practices of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people, which was inscribed by UNESCO in 2019; along with 17 national intangible cultural heritages. These are invaluable "soft assets" that create a unique attraction for the region.
Alongside this vibrant reality is the consistent leadership and guidance of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, and the Provincial People's Committee in issuing and implementing resolutions on culture. The province has promptly concretized major resolutions of the Central Government through action programs and specialized projects suitable to local conditions; clearly defining culture as both the spiritual foundation and the intrinsic driving force for sustainable development.
Based on that, many policies have been implemented synchronously and with a focus: prioritizing resources for the restoration and preservation of historical sites; supporting artisans; encouraging the establishment of folk culture clubs; and integrating heritage into schools and community activities.
As a result, many of Tuyen Quang's heritage values have been effectively preserved and promoted, contributing to boosting tourism, creating livelihoods for the people, improving their spiritual lives, and affirming the cultural identity of this revolutionary land in the new development space. By 2025, Tuyen Quang's tourism sector is expected to welcome approximately 3.9 million visitors, exceeding the set target, with cultural tourism continuing to be a key highlight.
In the heart of Tuyen Quang's vast forests today, the sound of the Tinh lute still resonates in the stilt houses; the sacred flame of the Fire Dance Festival still burns brightly in the community's faith… These legacies are alive in everyday life, in the awareness of each and every citizen to preserve them.
Preserving and promoting heritage is not only a responsibility to the past, but also a choice for the future. When heritage is protected and promoted in the right direction, it forms a solid spiritual foundation and a sustainable cultural resource for Tuyen Quang's development in a new context – economic development coupled with the preservation of identity, modernization without losing its roots, in line with the spirit of the Party's resolutions on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people in the new era.
Thien Thanh
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/202601/gin-giu-gia-tri-van-hoa-dac-sac-39e59c0/
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