Lao Cai - a region where the essence of cultural heritage converges and spreads.

Lao Cai is not only home to majestic mountain ranges and terraced rice fields winding through the clouds, but also a land where unique cultural heritage values, nurtured over generations, converge, intertwine, and crystallize.

In this land, home to 33 ethnic groups living together, with ethnic minorities accounting for 57.6% of the population, a vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry of the Northwest highlands has been formed. From community life and production to spiritual life, cultural heritage values ​​are preserved and passed down naturally, quietly spreading and becoming the "source" that nourishes identity, fosters pride, and creates a solid foundation for the province's sustainable development.

Lao Cai 's cultural heritage spans both tangible and intangible assets, vividly reflecting the history and life of its highland communities. These include traditional houses nestled on mountain slopes, vibrant brocade costumes, simple yet profound folk songs and dances; and a system of festivals closely intertwined with the beliefs, customs, and community life of the Mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Ha Nhi, and Nung ethnic groups.

Many exemplary values ​​have been inscribed in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, becoming symbols of the identity and cultural vitality of the highlands. From the Gầu Tào Festival of the Hmong people, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the Dao people, to traditional crafts, distinctive cuisine , and the treasure trove of folk knowledge accumulated over generations, all reflect the historical depth, the diligent work ethic, and the aspirations of the people in the border regions of the Fatherland.

A ritual during the Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the Dao ethnic group — a national intangible cultural heritage. (Photo: Nguyen Vu)

Currently, Lao Cai possesses 56 national intangible cultural heritage sites, 2 representative cultural heritage sites of humanity, and a cultural institution system covering 100% of highland villages and hamlets. In 2025 alone, the province plans to add 4 new heritage sites to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, including: the Tay people's basket weaving craft in Nghia Do commune; the forest worship ritual of the Pa Di people in Muong Khuong commune; the New Rice Festival of the Xa Pho people in Van Ban, Duong Quy, Vo Lao, and Chieng Ken communes; and the Tay people's knowledge of preparing grilled fish, blue-roasted duck, and herbal rice wine in Nghia Do commune. Notably, the province has over 40 outstanding artisans who are preserving and passing on the essence of ethnic culture to future generations.

Sharing his joy at having his ethnic group's social customs and beliefs recognized, Mr. Vang Pha Sau, a shaman in Sa Pa village, Muong Khuong commune, expressed his pride and desire to continue contributing to preserving and transmitting the values ​​of the forest worship ritual so that the heritage not only remains in memory but also lives on in contemporary life.

Beyond traditional preservation methods, Lao Cai is gradually bringing its heritage into the digital space. Technology is becoming an "extended arm," enabling domestic and international tourists to access and experience the values ​​of cultural heritage in new, modern ways, ensuring a harmonious balance between exploitation and preservation.

In fact, intangible cultural heritage is the spiritual flow in community life. Through many generations, these values ​​become invaluable assets, reflecting the harmonious relationship between people and between people and nature. This is also an important basis for Lao Cai to build sustainable conservation plans and effectively exploit its tourism development strategy.

Originating from highland villages, the art of using beeswax to create patterns on fabric among the Hmong people is a culmination of folk knowledge passed down through the hands of "village artists".

According to Mr. Nong Viet Yen, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lao Cai province: The unique value of the intangible cultural heritage of ethnic minorities is the foundation for the province to implement sustainable conservation solutions, preserving and promoting fine traditional values. Heritage and tourism are closely linked; the recognized relics, scenic spots, and cultural heritage sites have become important prerequisites for Lao Cai tourism to break through and leave its mark on the Vietnamese tourism map.

By 2025, the total number of visitors to Lao Cai is estimated to reach over 10.51 million, including approximately 1.5 million international visitors; total tourism revenue is expected to reach around 46.5 trillion VND. This affirms the increasingly prominent role of cultural heritage in driving growth.

Putting the community at the center of heritage preservation helps Lao Cai build an image of a friendly, culturally rich, and sustainably developing destination. (Photo: Nguyen Vu)

In the context of integration, cultural heritage is the "soul" that creates the unique identity of Lao Cai. It is not only a memory of the past, but also the foundation for the province's harmonious development, balancing preservation and innovation, tradition and modernity. With a systematic, creative approach and a community-centered approach, Lao Cai is gradually affirming its position as a land that embodies the essence of heritage – preserved, revived, disseminated, and sustainably continued through generations.

In the coming period, the province will continue to exploit and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage to create distinctive cultural tourism products. At the same time, it will strengthen the teaching and dissemination of heritage within the community, raising awareness and responsibility among the people and authorities at all levels in preserving and promoting heritage, considering it an important resource for sustainable tourism development.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lao-cai-mien-hoi-tu-va-lan-toa-tinh-hoa-di-san-van-hoa-post891445.html