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| The Dao Quan Chet people in Tan Lap hamlet, along with international tourists, experience making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) – a way to preserve and spread their cultural identity. |
Preserving family traditions and customs.
In Tan Lap hamlet, over 90% of the households are Dao Quan Chet people. For the Dao Quan Chet, Lunar New Year is a sacred occasion to remember ancestors, strengthen family bonds, and foster community spirit. During Lunar New Year, they prepare more elaborate meals than usual, with banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cake) taking center stage on the feast table.
The main ingredients for the rice cakes are mostly produced by the locals themselves: glutinous rice from the late-year harvest, mung beans grown in their gardens, and pork from pigs raised at home. The process of wrapping and boiling the cakes lasts for many hours, becoming an occasion for family members to gather around the fire, reminisce about the past, and share their plans for the new year.
Ms. Trieu Minh Loan, a member of the Dao Quan Chet ethnic group's cultural preservation club in Tan Lap hamlet, said: "We always remind our children and grandchildren that making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) is not only for Tet (Lunar New Year) but also to remember our roots. When the children make the cakes themselves and hear about the meaning of each custom and tradition, it will be naturally continued. Maintaining Tet customs not only strengthens family bonds but also contributes to preserving cultural identity in community life."
Besides traditional cuisine , folk songs are a unique value of the Dao Quan Chet people in Tan Lap. These simple, heartfelt melodies are often heard during the spring festival, celebrations, and cultural gatherings.
The Dao Quan Chet Ethnic Identity Preservation Club holds regular meetings at the village cultural center. Here, elderly members directly teach traditional melodies, guide younger generations on how to wear traditional clothing, and explain the meaning of the patterns.
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| Jenna (on the left), a tourist from the Philippines, enjoyed tasting banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake) and listening to stories about the customs of the Dao Quan Chet people. |
Mr. Trieu Van Vien, the club's chairman, shared: "Preserving cultural identity is not just for a few days during Tet (Lunar New Year), but must be maintained regularly. When the younger generation understands and is proud of their ethnic songs and costumes, cultural identity will be preserved sustainably."
In fact, more and more young people in the neighborhood are participating in club activities. They not only learn to sing but also learn about customs and how to embroider traditional costumes. The proactiveness of the younger generation is a crucial foundation for long-term cultural preservation.
Cultural preservation in conjunction with tourism development.
Not only preserved within the community, the distinctive cultural features of the Dao Quan Chet people in Tan Lap are also beginning to attract tourists. Through experiential activities such as making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), listening to folk songs, and learning about daily life, the village has welcomed a number of domestic and international tourists.
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| The glowing hearth in every home still plays a central role during family gatherings. |
Jenna, a tourist from the Philippines who had the opportunity to experience Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) with the people of Tan Lap, shared that she was particularly impressed by the atmosphere of gathering around the fire. “In my homeland, we also have traditional rice cakes during festivals, but when I personally wrapped banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) with the locals here, I clearly felt the family bond and respect for our ancestors. It was a very heartwarming experience,” Jenna said.
Positive feedback from tourists indicates the potential for developing community-based tourism linked to cultural preservation in the locality. However, according to local authorities, tourism development needs to be carried out cautiously, ensuring the preservation of traditional values and avoiding commercialization.
From the hearths of Tet (Lunar New Year) to regular folk singing sessions, the Dao Quan Chet people in Tan Lap are quietly preserving the cultural essence of their ethnic group. This is not just the story of one village, but also a testament to the efforts to preserve and promote the cultural values of ethnic groups in the province.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202602/giu-hon-xuan-noi-ban-dao-5bc2e5a/
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