The colorful culture of Chieng Lao

Amidst the flow of modern life, the ethnic communities in Chiềng Lao commune continue to preserve and promote their beautiful traditional cultural values, creating a vibrant and colorful cultural tapestry in this riverside countryside.

Chiềng Lao commune lies peacefully in the heart of the Sơn La hydroelectric reservoir.

In the early days of May, we had the opportunity to return to Chiềng Lao commune – a land situated beside the Sơn La hydroelectric reservoir. During this season, the lake's surface is a clear, emerald green, embracing the majestic limestone mountains, creating a picturesque and romantic landscape.

Welcoming us at the commune headquarters, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieng Lao commune, enthusiastically stated: After the merger, Chieng Lao commune has 39 villages with over 21,000 inhabitants, comprising five ethnic groups: Kinh, Thai, Khang, La Ha, and Mong, living together in unity. Amidst modern life, the people of these ethnic groups are always conscious of preserving their cultural beauty, such as traditional clothing, language, writing, and handicrafts. Cultural, artistic, religious, and festival activities are regularly maintained, contributing to enriching the spiritual life and strengthening national unity.

The traditional La Ha dance.

From the center of the commune, following the wide concrete road, we arrived at Huoi Le village, home to over 128 households of the La Ha ethnic minority. At the village's cultural center, the atmosphere of weekend cultural and artistic activities was vibrant. Groups of women and mothers enthusiastically sang folk songs; groups of young people energetically practiced traditional Tang Bu and A Sung Lung dances. Outside, elderly men diligently taught their children and grandchildren the craft of weaving household items from bamboo and rattan.

Mr. Lo Van Pau, Party Secretary and Head of Huoi Le village, shared: "Culture and arts have long been an indispensable 'spiritual nourishment' for the people in the village. Currently, the village maintains two amateur performing arts groups with nearly 30 members of various ages, who regularly practice and perform at festivals, weddings, and local cultural events. Every year, the village supports the performing arts groups with funds to purchase costumes, props, and invest in portable speakers for performances. At the same time, we encourage the younger generation to actively participate in preserving and spreading the ethnic cultural identity."

People from Chiềng Lao commune compete in tug-of-war at the "Returning to My Village" game show.

In line with the policy of socio -economic development in ethnic minority areas, the commune has implemented many solutions to preserve and promote traditional cultural values. Attention has been paid to maintaining core performing arts groups in the villages, effectively mobilizing social resources to organize cultural programs, reviving traditional festivals, and opening classes to teach ethnic languages ​​and scripts. Notably, at the beginning of 2026, the commune successfully organized the first Chiềng Lao Ethnic Culture and Sports Festival with many unique activities, contributing to strengthening community solidarity, opening up opportunities to promote the cultural beauty, tourism potential, and economic development of the reservoir area in the future.

Alongside this, the "National Unity for Building a Culturally Rich Life" movement has been strengthened and spread widely, attracting a large number of people to actively participate. The villages have focused on effectively implementing five key areas: solidarity and mutual assistance for economic development and sustainable poverty reduction; building a cultured lifestyle and adhering to the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws; creating a healthy cultural environment; maintaining a green, clean, beautiful, and safe landscape; and promoting solidarity and mutual support within the community. Village regulations and customs have been reviewed and updated to suit the new way of life, and have received the people's consensus and implementation.

Rural concrete road in Na Nong village, Chieng Lao commune.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Lang, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Chieng Lao Commune, said: The system of cultural and sports facilities has been gradually invested in comprehensively. From 2021 to the present, the commune has mobilized and used over 18.2 billion VND to repair 22 village cultural houses. To date, 100% of villages have cultural houses, effectively fulfilling their functions and meeting the needs of community activities, organizing cultural, artistic, and sports activities at the grassroots level. By the end of 2025, the entire commune will have over 3,200 households achieving the title of "Cultural Family," accounting for over 75%.

Thai ethnic women in Chieng Lao commune in traditional attire.

Amidst the picturesque countryside and waterways, the traditional cultural beauty of Chiềng Lao continues to be preserved and shine. This not only forms the foundation for nurturing the spiritual life of the people but also becomes a driving force for socio-economic development, opening up many opportunities for community tourism development in the future.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/sac-mau-van-hoa-chieng-lao-FpxdlS1vg.html