Contributing to the preservation of Co Tu culture.

After the unification, the Co Tu people of Quang Nam province had the opportunity to expand their interactions and work together to preserve and protect their distinctive traditional culture.

Recreating traditional rituals of the Co Tu ethnic group at Tom Sara Village. Photo: NGOC HA

Conservation efforts

Over the years, the former Da Nang city government has paid great attention to policies supporting the preservation and development of Co Tu culture. First and foremost, there is Plan No. 4271/KH-UBND dated June 8, 2015, issued by the City People's Committee. Based on this plan, the cultural sector has implemented activities to restore the new rice harvest festival and brotherhood ceremonies, and revive the traditional brocade weaving craft…

In 2022, the Da Nang City People's Committee continued to issue the project "Developing policies to support the preservation and promotion of the culture of the Co Tu ethnic minority in Da Nang City for the period 2022-2030". In 2024, the city built the Ta Lang - Gian Bi Community Cultural and Tourism Center with a budget of nearly 15 billion VND. The project is scheduled to be inaugurated and put into operation in April 2025. This architectural work is a symbol of the unity, creativity, and aspiration for progress of the Co Tu people.

Preserving the Co Tu culture also relies on the collective efforts of the community, including the younger generation. In 2019, with the support of the government, Mr. Alang Nhu built the first homestay model in Gian Bi village, Hoa Bac commune (formerly), now Hai Van ward.

As the number of tourists increased, Mr. Nhu realized that he couldn't manage everything alone and that community tourism required collective strength. He took the initiative to establish a Community Ecotourism Cooperative, comprising 45 people. Aiming for the benefit of the community, preserving the Co Tu culture, creating jobs, and improving the lives of local people, the Community Ecotourism Cooperative was developed into the Ta Lang - Gian Bi Ecological Agriculture and Community Tourism Cooperative in April 2025.

Spreading the Co Tu cultural identity in the heart of the new city.

Huynh Tan Phap, General Director of Toom Sara Investment Joint Stock Company (Toom Sara Village), shared that the traditional Co Tu culture in every locality has common features. The interaction between people from different localities is the thread that connects these cultural traditions.

For example, the Co Tu cultural performance team in Toom Sara Village has over 40 members. In addition to artisans from the Co Tu ethnic group of Hoa Phu (formerly), there are also artisans from the Co Tu ethnic group of Dong Giang - Tay Giang (formerly). This team performs Co Tu shows for locals and tourists, such as: performing the Tang Tung Da Da dance, the fire-calling ritual, and recreating the Phuoih Ca Coong festival - a thanksgiving ceremony to the mountain and forest gods according to the customs of the Co Tu people…

Speaking about preserving and conserving the Co Tu culture in the future, Mr. Alang Dung (62 years old, a Co Tu ethnic minority member from Phu Tuc, and a member of the Co Tu cultural performance team in Toom Sara Village) believes that it is necessary to organize traditional festivals on a larger scale. For a long time, the Co Tu ethnic minority in Hoa Bac and Hoa Phu (formerly) has had a small population and has been affected by urbanization, making the preservation of their traditional culture extremely difficult.

He often plays the role of village elder in the reenactment of festivals and rituals, or recounts the traditional culture of the Co Tu people, such as their dances and folk songs. This is not only to serve tourists but also his own effort in maintaining the culture of his people. "Now that we are all part of Da Nang city, I hope to have more opportunities to participate in traditional Co Tu festivals in various communes so that Co Tu culture can blend together and continue to be spread and preserved," Mr. Alang Dung hoped.

From the beginning of September, communes and wards in the city have been strengthening their sister-ward relationships in accordance with Document No. 389-CV/TU dated August 25, 2025, of the Da Nang City Party Committee; including Hoa Vang commune and Hai Van ward - two localities where the Co Tu ethnic group (formerly Da Nang) lives.

Mr. Nguyen Thuc Dung, Chairman of the Hai Van Ward People's Committee, said that Hai Van Ward has signed a twinning program with Tay Giang Commune. A common point between Hai Van Ward and Tay Giang Commune is the presence of the Co Tu ethnic group, who have lived there for generations and possess a rich cultural identity.

Following the signing of the agreement, Hai Van ward will support Tay Giang commune in developing cultural and tourism plans, especially in providing professional training for commune officials and attracting businesses to invest in community tourism development linked to cultural preservation. Conversely, Tay Giang commune will support the Ta Lang - Gian Bi Community Cultural and Tourism Center in preserving the culture of the Co Tu ethnic group, especially their traditional drum and gong dances and the Tang Tung Da Da dance.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/gop-suc-bao-ton-van-hoa-co-tu-3303289.html