Promoting the cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.

baophutho.vn With its rich history and diverse values, the Muong ethnic culture is not only a precious asset of the community but also a crucial element in shaping the identity of the ancestral land. The preservation of cultural values, maintained through generations, along with the decisive involvement of the government in restoring and promoting heritage values, has transformed culture into an intrinsic strength, driving socio-economic development and fostering community cohesion within a new development space.

The 2026 Muong ethnic group's New Year's Opening Ceremony will be organized on a provincial scale, contributing to the dissemination of traditional cultural values.

The Spring Festival - vitality in a developing environment.

Within the intangible cultural heritage system of the Muong people, the Khai Ha Festival holds a particularly important position, serving as a connecting thread for the community and evoking national pride. This is not simply a religious activity praying for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and flourishing nature, but has become a unique cultural tourism product, carrying the aspirations for a prosperous and happy life of the local people.

Implementing a two-tiered local government model in the cultural sector not only enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of the administrative apparatus but also creates new responsibilities and opportunities for cultural preservation. According to Mr. Le Chi Huyen, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Bi commune, reforming the administrative apparatus allows for more thorough implementation of the preservation and promotion of traditional values ​​at the grassroots level, ensuring that culture truly serves as a spiritual foundation and resource for development.

The 2026 Khai Ha Festival was organized on a provincial scale, demonstrating the strong convergence and dissemination of heritage upon returning to the Muong land. The festival space was not confined to one area but became a connecting point between ancient Muong regions and the interaction of many localities such as Thanh Son, Tu Vu, Song Lo, and Van Phu ward. This connection created a cultural space that was both diverse and unified, affirming the strong bond between the ethnic groups in the ancestral homeland. Through cultural, artistic, sports , and folk game activities, the image of Phu Tho as a land of "Compassion - Dynamism - Integration" was widely promoted to visitors from all over.

The Đình Khênh Festival in Thượng Cốc commune is organized to contribute to the preservation and promotion of the cultural values ​​of the Mường ethnic group in the area.

Affirming identity and striving to preserve cultural values.

Over the years, the preservation of the Muong ethnic culture has received special attention from Party committees, government agencies, and the Ministry of Culture. Many distinctive values ​​such as the language, traditional costumes, stilt house architecture, and indigenous knowledge systems have been seriously inventoried and assessed. Among these, Mo Muong – a form of ritual performance reflecting the worldview and philosophy of life of the community – has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list and its dossier has been completed for submission to UNESCO for inscription on the list of those in need of urgent safeguarding.

Besides Mo Muong, the art of gong playing is also a great source of pride, with over 10,000 gongs regularly used and practiced by the community. Many other intangible cultural heritages have also been honored at the national level, such as: the folk knowledge of bamboo calendars; the art of creating patterns on skirt waistbands; Thuong Rang singing, Bo Meng singing, or unique festivals such as the Ken snatching festival (Tho Van commune) and Tet Doi (Thu Cuc commune).

Conservation efforts are implemented through various forms. The province has issued directives and developed long-term plans to integrate the preservation of Muong culture into the new rural development program and socio-economic development. In addition, the province has organized the inventory, collection, digitization, and creation of scientific dossiers for typical cultural values. It honors and supports artisans – those directly responsible for preserving the heritage – with dozens of individuals being awarded the title of "Outstanding Artisan."   Bringing heritage into schools through classes that teach spoken and written languages, and folk songs.

In particular, the approach of linking cultural preservation with community-based tourism development has proven to be exceptionally effective. Many Muong villages have become popular destinations attracting numerous tourists who come to visit, experience traditional stilt houses, enjoy unique cuisine, and immerse themselves in folk cultural activities. This has helped local people earn income and feel more proud of their ethnic identity.

Despite achieving many results, the preservation of Muong ethnic culture still faces significant challenges from urbanization and the impact of modern life. Investment resources in some localities are limited... To realize solutions, the province has determined that preservation must be linked to the livelihoods of the people. In key areas such as Muong Bi, Muong Vang, Muong Thang, Muong Dong, Thanh Son, Tan Son..., the restoration of rituals, the revival of weaving crafts, and the teaching of the language are being promoted. These are practical steps to implement the Party and State's policy on cultural development. In the coming time, the province will focus on applying digital technology to store and promote Muong cultural documents, while also building community museum models. The close integration of heritage preservation with sustainable tourism development is not only a solution for safeguarding heritage, but also a path for the Muong culture of Phu Tho to flourish and become a valuable asset for future generations.

Huong Lan

Source: https://baophutho.vn/lan-toa-ban-sac-van-hoa-dan-toc-muong-251192.htm