Kin Chiêng Boọc Mạy Festival.
Cultural sediments accumulated over the years.
It is no coincidence that throughout the nation's history, Thanh Hoa has always been a land of "spiritual significance and outstanding people," a place where many unique cultural values converge, crystallize, and spread. Over thousands of years of formation and development, the cultural sediments accumulated from history, people, heritage, and relics have become a solid spiritual foundation, creating a strong "standing" for Thanh Hoa in its development journey today and in the future. From prehistoric times with the brilliant Dong Son culture, laying the foundation for ancient Vietnamese civilization, to the feudal dynasties and protracted resistance wars, this land has always held a strategic role in politics , military affairs, and culture. In each historical period, culture is always the most deeply ingrained element, crystallized in the rich system of relics and heritage, and in the very spiritual life of the communities, forming the very essence of each region. From that source, Thanh Hoa's culture has consistently developed and integrated in its approach: taking culture as the foundation and placing people at the center. In 2025, these cultural values will continue to be revived and promoted, becoming a solid foundation for comprehensive development.
Often described as a "heritage land," Thanh Hoa province boasts over 1,500 historical sites, stretching from mountainous areas to plains and coastal regions. Among these, 858 sites are classified at various levels, including: 1 World Heritage site (Ho Dynasty Citadel), 5 special national sites, 139 national sites, and 713 provincial sites. These sites are not only "witnesses to history" but also spaces preserving community memories, reflecting the continuous labor, struggle, and creativity of generations of Thanh Hoa residents. Therefore, the preservation and promotion of cultural values are always prioritized. In 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism advised the Provincial People's Committee to re-issue the ranking certificate for 1 historical and cultural site; and reported on the investment plan for the restoration and renovation of 9 sites. Completed and submitted for appraisal numerous project dossiers for the restoration of important historical sites, ensuring strict compliance with the Law on Cultural Heritage.
Intangible cultural heritage continues to be "revived" through collection, documentation, and registration activities. In 2025, the folk performance art of the Ma River chanting will be submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for inclusion in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage; at the same time, the province will complete the dossiers to request the registration of four more typical traditional festivals in the national list of intangible cultural heritage. This is not only a source of pride but also a vivid testament to the enduring vitality of Thanh Hoa's traditional culture in contemporary life. It affirms that culture is a "soft power" for localities to develop and shape Thanh Hoa's unique cultural identity within the broader picture of Vietnamese culture.
From its historical foundation and heritage, Thanh Hoa's culture is nurtured and disseminated in contemporary life, especially through the movement to build cultural life at the grassroots level and mass cultural activities. In localities, regulations and criteria for awarding cultural titles are reviewed and improved to be more substantive; civilized lifestyles in weddings, funerals, and festivals are gradually strengthened. Family and community relationships are more closely intertwined, creating a stable and healthy social environment. Cultural and artistic activities, performances, and cultural exchanges are vibrant. Culture is therefore no longer an abstract concept, but is clearly present in each family and community, becoming an "undercurrent" that nourishes development.
Harmonious, sustainable, and distinctive development
Looking from the depth of history to the practical realities of today, it is clear that the cultural heritage of Thanh Hoa province is not only an inherited value but also a resource for building the future. When historical and cultural values, relics, and heritage are correctly identified, properly preserved, and effectively promoted, they will become a solid "foundation" helping the locality develop harmoniously in terms of economy, society, and people.
The achievements in 2025 clearly demonstrate the "soft power" of culture on social life and local development. The province has a cultural village/neighborhood rate of 84.7%; a cultural family rate of 85.4%; a rate of people participating in regular physical exercise and sports of approximately 45%; and a rate of families participating in sports of approximately 31%. High-performance sports continue to affirm Thanh Hoa's position on the national and international stage. In 2025, the province's athletes won 1,146 medals of all kinds; including 349 Gold medals, 318 Silver medals, and 479 Bronze medals. In addition, mass cultural activities, performing arts, film, and library services continue to be maintained regularly, strongly focusing on grassroots levels, remote areas, and ethnic minority communities. This is a crucial foundation for entering 2026 with a more proactive and confident mindset. The culture, sports, and tourism sector is determined to continue implementing programs to improve the quality of culture, develop cultural and sports institutions, and prepare well for the 10th National Sports Games and other major tasks of the new period.
As spring arrives, the imprints of the old year do not fade away, but rather settle, opening up new expectations. Building upon a nurtured cultural foundation and the concrete achievements of 2025, Thanh Hoa province enters 2026 with a more solid "standing"—where culture continues to guide, serving as a "soft power" enabling Thanh Hoa to confidently move towards harmonious, sustainable, and distinctive development.
Text and photos: Thùy Linh
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/suc-manh-mem-sac-xuan-moi-273617.htm
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