The atmosphere of Dong Son ancient village in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.
The ancient village of Dong Son has long been known as the "cradle" of the Dong Son culture – a brilliant archaeological culture associated with bronze drums and the history of nation-building and national defense. Despite the many changes over time, Dong Son has retained the basic form of an ancient Vietnamese village. Each spring, this beauty becomes clearer and deeper, not only in its scenery but also in the depth of its way of life, customs, and the community's awareness of preserving its heritage.
Visiting the ancient village of Dong Son in the final days of the year, one can easily sense the village's atmosphere being meticulously cared for. Along the main roads, alleyways, and in cultural spaces such as ancient houses, village communal houses, and temples, traditional decorations like the national flag, conical hats, red lanterns, and bamboo lanterns are harmoniously arranged, creating subtle accents against the backdrop of moss-covered tiled roofs and deep brown earthen walls. In addition, miniature Tet (Lunar New Year) scenes, constructed from familiar materials like bamboo, rattan, and earthenware jars, evoke memories of the old village while providing a warm and intimate feeling for locals and visitors alike.
In every family, preparations for Tet (Lunar New Year) begin early. Old houses are cleaned and minor details are repaired; ancestral altars are carefully and solemnly cleaned. In an old house located in Tri Alley, Mr. Luong The Tap, who has lived in his family's old house for many years, shared: “About a month before Tet, my family cleans and redecorates the house, the worship space, and places peach blossoms in front of the porch. The most important thing is to keep the space tidy, cozy, and retain its ancient charm so that locals and tourists can visit and experience the Tet holiday and the arrival of spring.”
Strolling through the ancient village in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), one can clearly feel the pace of life slowing down. People are more relaxed in their daily lives. Smiles appear more often on faces as they meet and greet each other on porches and at gates. Amidst the simply decorated ancient village space welcoming spring, joy and warmth spread, creating a unique sense of peace as Tet approaches.
Not only has the ancient village of Dong Son been given a "new look," but its intangible cultural values are also being preserved. Traditional customs, rituals, and community activities associated with the communal house and pagoda are regularly maintained. In recent years, the locality has organized the "Ancient Village Tet Festival" as a highlight in the springtime scene of Dong Son. This is not just a cultural event, but has become an opportunity for the community to recreate and preserve traditional customs and practices associated with the traditional Tet festival of the nation. In the ancient village and community areas, familiar scenes such as making banh chung (traditional rice cakes), practicing calligraphy, arranging the five-fruit tray, and organizing folk games are vividly recreated, attracting the participation of many people, especially the younger generation.
Through the "Traditional Tet in the Ancient Village" activity, the intangible cultural values of Dong Son ancient village are naturally "awakened." Elderly people have the opportunity to recount stories of traditional Tet customs, village traditions, and family values to their descendants; young people can directly experience and better understand the meaning of values that seemed to have faded away in modern life. This is a practical way to educate about traditions, foster love for the homeland and awareness of preserving heritage within the community, while also creating a foundation for sustainable cultural tourism development.
Ms. Luong Thi Duyen, 70 years old, a resident of Dong Son ancient village, said: “In recent years, the local authorities have organized the ‘Ancient Village Tet Festival,’ beautifully decorated the village, and everyone is excited and clearly understands their responsibility in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values. When children and grandchildren return home during this time, they also learn more about the customs, traditions, and way of life of their ancestors, and develop a greater love for their homeland.”
These positive changes are the result of the attention of the local Party committee and government, the involvement of mass organizations, and the high level of consensus among the people in preserving ancient houses and the cultural space of the ancient village in conjunction with cultural and tourism development. Ms. Le Thi Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Ham Rong Ward People's Committee, said: “In recent years, the preservation and promotion of the value of the ancient village has been identified as an important task, linked to the goal of developing the local culture and tourism. Activities to beautify the village, improve infrastructure, and build landscapes are all implemented according to the principle of harmony and respect for the ancient space. The Lunar New Year is the time for the ancient village to showcase its most distinctive features, while simultaneously spreading awareness of heritage preservation within the community. The ward has proactively developed a plan, assigning tasks for decorating and protecting the ancient village space to schools, mass organizations, and each alley; the decoration is done in a way that is intimate, simple, and preserves the essence of the ancient village.”
Amidst the spreading spring colors, the ancient village of Dong Son quietly maintains its unique rhythm of life, slow but enduring. From the ancient houses and traditional Tet customs to the community's awareness of preserving heritage, all are creating a foundation for the ancient village to continue living in the present, looking towards the future, where traditional values are not only preserved but also naturally continued through each spring.
Text and photos: Thùy Linh
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/xuan-ve-lang-co-278595.htm
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