"Keeping the flame of heritage alive"

As spring arrives, Tuyen Quang is not only resplendent with the delicate pink of peach blossoms and the pristine white of pear and plum blossoms, but also bursts with life from its treasure trove of cultural heritage preserved through hundreds of festivals, folk songs, and traditional crafts. Nature and culture blend together, creating a unique charm for this heritage region amidst the vast mountains.

The Tay people of Tan An commune preserve the Then dance and the Tinh lute.

"Museum" of heritage

Tuyen Quang , a sacred land at the northernmost tip of Vietnam, is home to 22 ethnic groups, creating a rich and distinctive cultural treasure. This diversity has made Tuyen Quang a "living museum" of folk heritage.

According to Nguyen Van Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism: The province has nearly 400 cultural heritage sites, of which 40 have been recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The most unique aspect of Tuyen Quang's cultural life is its treasure trove of ancient and mysterious spiritual rituals and beliefs, such as: the forest worship of the Phu La, Nung, and Co Lao people; the New Year festival of the Giay ethnic group; the Khu Cu Te Tet festival of the La Chi people… The Then practice of the Tay people, in particular, has been inscribed by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Furthermore, many unique cultural values ​​of the ethnic minority groups among the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam, which converge in Tuyen Quang, serve as vivid evidence of the enduring strength of cultural identity. Typical examples include: the fire dance of the Pa Then people, the ancestor worship of the Lo Lo people, the folk songs of the Bo Y people, and the harvest prayer and forest worship rituals of the Co Lao people…

Currently, Tuyen Quang province still possesses nearly 100 traditional festivals. Many festivals have been recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as: Fire Dance (Pa Then), New Year Festival (Giay), Quya Hieng (Red Dao), Nang Hai (Tay Ngan)... Besides their ceremonial value, these festivals also inspire creativity and national pride, transforming dances, folk songs, and folk games into vibrant experiences, fostering community cohesion, enriching spiritual life, and transmitting cultural values ​​to the younger generation.

Besides festivals, many traditional crafts are also honored as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as: the flax cultivation and weaving techniques of the Hmong people, the handmade paper-making techniques of the Dao people, the silver engraving craft of the Nung people, or the two-layered conical hat making craft of the Tay people… Through these, not only are folk techniques, knowledge, and aesthetics preserved, but also livelihoods are created, cultural tourism is developed, and the younger generation is inspired to continue, preserve, and promote the value of their ancestors' heritage.

The Hmong flute dance is a unique cultural feature of the Hmong people on the Dong Van Stone Plateau.

To keep heritage alive in the modern era.

Recognizing the value of the cultural treasures of ethnic minorities, the province has implemented a comprehensive set of solutions to ensure that these heritages are not only preserved but also become a "soft power" spreading the unique identity of Tuyen Quang province.

Since 2022, the implementation of Project 6 under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Tuyen Quang province has significantly contributed to the "revival" of many cultural values ​​of the Pa Then ethnic group. Many classes teaching the ethnic language, fire dance rituals, and courtship singing have been organized, and the Harvest Prayer Ceremony, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, has further revitalized the heritage. Furthermore, the province has also promoted the application of digital technology to preserve heritage. To date, 10 national intangible cultural heritages have been digitized. The provincial museum applies 3D mapping and interactive technology to bring heritage into a more vibrant digital space. Many young artisans, such as Chu Van Thach and Ngo Sy Ngoc, actively promote heritage on digital platforms, attracting millions of followers.

In many localities, cultural preservation is harmoniously integrated with the development of community-based and experiential tourism. In 2025, Lo Lo Chai village (Lung Cu commune) was honored by UN Tourism as the "Best Tourist Village in the World," and H'Mong Village Resort received the VITA GREEN Green Tourism label and the Best Green Hotel in Vietnam award. These awards once again affirm the value of local culture and Tuyen Quang's position on the global tourism map.

The art of decorating the traditional costumes of the Red Dao people has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Photo: Canh Truc

Besides the ethnic cultural preservation clubs – the "nucleus" for preserving and spreading heritage values ​​– the province also has 2 People's Artisans, 33 Distinguished Artisans, and more than 9,000 members belonging to nearly 200 folk artisan associations. They are not only "keepers of the flame" but also contemporary "cultural architects," diligently restoring and teaching folk songs, folk dances, rituals, and traditional crafts, ensuring that the cultural identity of Tuyen Quang is always continued and strongly disseminated.

Drawing from its rich and distinctive heritage, Tuyen Quang province has unlocked and transformed cultural values ​​into a soft power for sustainable development. The heritage is not only preserved but also ignited and spread through every song, every festival, every small house nestled on the jagged rocky slopes. It is this cultural current that is propelling the homeland forward, allowing the Tuyen Quang identity to resonate gently yet enduringly, blending with the breath of spring and enduring through the years.

Thu Phuong

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/tin-tuc/202602/giu-lua-di-san-6410ac3/