Preserving the cultural identity of Hoa Binh

Culture, in both its tangible and intangible aspects, needs to be preserved and promoted in order to endure through the ages. Recognizing this, for many years, Hoa Binh province has consistently given due attention to preserving and promoting the unique cultural values ​​within its territory.

The special art program "The Nation's Complete Joy," commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, was held on the evening of April 26th at Hoa Binh Square, showcasing the unique identity of the land and people of Hoa Binh.

In numerous forums on preserving and promoting cultural identity in conjunction with tourism development, leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hoa Binh province have clearly and comprehensively shared information about the province's vast cultural heritage. The province is home to six main ethnic groups, each with its own distinct identity and possessing a diverse range of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

According to the inventory results, the province has 786 intangible cultural heritage sites belonging to 7 categories of 5 ethnic minority groups (Muong, Thai, Tay, Dao, and Mong). The entire province has 292 protected historical sites, including 1 site classified as a special national monument, 39 national monuments, and 71 provincial monuments. Hoa Binh also preserves hundreds of bronze drums, approximately 12,000 gongs, along with many cultural heritages expressed through traditional festivals, folk performances, beliefs, and social customs. In particular, the archaeological sites belonging to the "Hoa Binh Culture" are considered to be of world- class value.

Within the framework of the 2024 Hoa Binh Province Culture and Tourism Week, the province solemnly organized the ceremony to receive the Certificate of Ranking as a Special National Monument for Xom Trai Cave and Lang Vanh Rock Shelter. This is a proud milestone and a well-deserved reward for the continuous efforts in preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the locality.

Over the past period, with the involvement of all levels and sectors and the active participation of ethnic communities, the cultural identity in the province has continued to be affirmed and clearly disseminated. Many intangible cultural heritages of the province have been recognized at the national level, such as: Mo Muong, Muong gong art, the Khai Ha Festival of the Muong ethnic group, the folk knowledge of the Bamboo Calendar of the Muong ethnic group, and the customs and beliefs of Keng Loong of the Thai ethnic group in Mai Chau district.

In particular, the province has completed the dossier on the Muong shamanic cultural heritage and submitted it to the Prime Minister for presentation to UNESCO for recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in need of urgent protection. The province has also implemented a project on teaching and learning the Muong ethnic language. Many specialized resolutions on cultural and tourism development have been issued and effectively implemented based on promoting traditional cultural values. Specifically, these include: the Provincial Party Committee's Resolution on building and developing the culture and people of Hoa Binh to meet the requirements of sustainable development in the cause of industrialization, modernization and international integration; Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 10, 2021, on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh province for the period 2021-2025, with orientation to 2030...

The Provincial People's Committee has also issued a plan for implementing the Cultural Development Strategy until 2030. In November 2023, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision approving the project "Preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the Muong ethnic group and the Hoa Binh culture in the period 2023 - 2030". The preservation and promotion of cultural values ​​are linked to eliminating outdated customs, aiming to transform the cultural heritage of the Muong ethnic group and the Hoa Binh culture into a development asset.

The province has adopted a policy of investing in the construction of several conservation areas and cultural spaces of the Muong ethnic group; restoring tangible cultural values; preserving and developing five community tourism destinations; promoting and developing the intangible cultural values ​​of the Muong ethnic group; and strengthening propaganda and communication about Hoa Binh culture.

In recent years, the province has implemented planning for projects within the Muong ethnic cultural space conservation area, linked with tourism development in Phong Phu commune (Tan Lac district); and collaborated with the Institute of Music and local authorities to complete the scientific dossier on the Mo Muong cultural heritage for submission to the Prime Minister and then to UNESCO. The province has also conducted an inventory and collection of intangible cultural heritage of the Muong ethnic group, thereby directing specific solutions to preserve and promote the unique cultural values ​​of the people of Hoa Binh more effectively.

Thanks to this, the rich and valuable system of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the ethnic groups has been effectively preserved and promoted, spreading widely throughout the community. The relationship between preserving, exploiting, and developing cultural heritage with sustainable tourism development and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people is being handled harmoniously by the province. Therefore, even if in the future there is no longer an administrative place named Hoa Binh province, or a clear geographical boundary between the four districts of Bi, Vang, Thang, and Dong..., the cultural sediments and cultural identity of the people of Hoa Binh will still remain.

Lam Nguyet (Contributor)

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/16/202463/Luu-giu-ban-sac-van-hoa-Hoa-Binh.htm