A peaceful Tay village in the heart of the city.

In the heart of Lao Cai city lies a peaceful "village," likened to a "green oasis," possessing all the distinctive traditional beauty of the Tay ethnic group that makes anyone who visits want to return.

These days, visiting Hamlet 11, Binh Minh Ward (Lao Cai City), one can see the bustling and enthusiastic atmosphere of the local people working hard. Men are tilling the land, while women are weeding and fertilizing flowers, vegetables, and other crops. Occasionally, the scene is dotted with green trees and the red tiled roofs of newly built houses. All of this creates a truly beautiful picture of rural life.

Leading us along the road into the "village," Ms. Pờ Thị Minh, Head of the Ethnic Identity Club of Residential Area No. 5, introduced: Group 11, Binh Minh Ward, used to belong to Cam Duong Commune, Lao Cai City. The entire group has 179 households with 658 inhabitants, of which more than 80% are Tay people. For generations, the people have lived together in solidarity, producing for self-sufficiency, growing vegetables, planting rice, raising fish, and grazing livestock.

Previously, the villagers worshipped the village tutelary deity under the largest tree in the village, but later moved to the Doi Co temple area. Every year on the Tay New Year (February 2nd in the lunar calendar), the entire neighborhood prepares pig's head, boiled chicken, horn-shaped cakes, and seven-colored sticky rice to offer to the village tutelary deity. On this sacred day, 100% of the villagers wear traditional clothing, sing folk songs, perform the traditional Tay dance, and invite a shaman to pray for a year of favorable weather, good health, and good fortune.

Amidst the bustling urban landscape, this "village" is undergoing a powerful transformation, yet it retains its unique character with a peaceful, airy setting that blends ancient and modern elements. Main roads leading to the houses have been widened, and modern buildings have sprung up amidst the green fields. Previously, 100% of the residents relied on rice cultivation and vegetable farming, but in recent years, many households have boldly converted their land to growing flowers and short-term fruit trees.

In 2005, Mr. Ma Xuan Hung's family, residing in Group 11, Binh Minh Ward, boldly converted 3,000 square meters of land previously used for two rice crops per year to rose cultivation. After nearly 20 years dedicated to flower farming, Mr. Hung now enjoys a comfortable home and a stable income. Most encouragingly, many local residents have come to learn from his experience and replicate his successful flower farming model, achieving even higher economic returns.

After working hard in the fields, the women gather at the community center to practice singing and dancing the folk songs of the Tay ethnic group. Ms. Luong Thi Truong, who directly teaches the Bat Dance, explains: "The Bat Dance is an ancient dance of the Tay people, formed during their labor and production. It has existed for generations, deeply ingrained in their culture and becoming a precious spiritual asset, an indispensable part of the Tay people's lives. Through the ups and downs of history, this dance has been preserved and developed in the spiritual life of the Tay people from one generation to the next."

Despite being part of the city's overall development, the people here strive to maintain and preserve the cultural traditions of their ethnic group, from clothing and speech to daily life and traditional festivals. These traditional cultural activities, with their strong community spirit, are frequently organized. Here, they not only preserve the clothing and belongings of the Tay people, but also intangible cultural values ​​such as language, cuisine, traditional games, Then singing, and spiritual rituals. Families always encourage and support their children to learn and communicate in the Tay language. When a family has a joyous occasion, they will sing and dance together, performing their traditional songs and dances.

Furthermore, residents of Hamlet 11 still often practice the custom of "exchanging labor" to help each other with important tasks such as building houses, arranging marriages for their children, and harvesting crops. During funerals and weddings, everyone in the village comes to contribute their efforts. These are beautiful traditions of mutual support and compassion that the Tay people here still preserve and promote.

Group 11 is one of two residential groups in the ward that still preserves the unique traditional cultural values ​​of the Tay ethnic group. It boasts a convergence of natural beauty, culinary culture, and rich customs and traditions. Women often wear traditional costumes, perform folk dances, and gather together during festivals. Within this community, there is strong solidarity and close ties; residents work diligently to ensure that no household falls into poverty.

Ms. Tran Thi Dong, Vice Chairperson of the People's Committee of Binh Minh Ward, stated:

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lang-tay-binh-yen-giua-long-thanh-pho-post387370.html