Contributing to the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Cultural Values of Ethnic Minorities

As part of Project 6 on “Preserving and Promoting the Good Traditional Cultural Values of Ethnic Minorities (ETM) in Connection with Tourism Development” under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period, Yen Lap District has implemented various measures to effectively preserve, safeguard, and promote the traditional cultural identities and values, creating a ripple effect within the community.

Recently, the district has focused on maintaining and preserving traditional cultural identities, cultural heritage, and history. The district is home to the Dao Quan Chet’s Sacrifice Ceremony in Xuan Thuy Commune, the Dao Quan Chet’s Jumping Festival in Yen Lap District, and the Yen Lap Muong’s Forest Opening Ceremony, which have all been recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Additionally, the district also has provincial-level historical and cultural relics such as Phuc Co Communal House in Minh Hoa Commune and Ton Son - Mo Xuan Base in Xuan An Commune.

Project 6, implemented in the district, contributes to restoring, preserving, and promoting traditional cultural values; it also supports the provision of infrastructure and cultural equipment for the ethnic minority regions to improve cultural access for local communities while fostering community-based tourism development. Efforts in research, collection, restoration, preservation, teaching, and promoting traditional cultural values have been actively pursued. Collaborative efforts in cultural preservation, as well as in promoting and advertising the distinctive cultural values of the ethnic minorities, have seen many innovations and creative approaches.

With funding from the career development budget, the total planned capital for the 2021-2024 period is over 2.5 billion VND, and nearly 20% has been disbursed to date. Accordingly, support has been provided for traditional cultural activities (such as costumes, props, and performance fees) for three art teams in the following areas: Region 1, My Lung Commune; Hon Region, Xuan An Commune; and Dang Region, Trung Son Commune. The remaining funds are being used to continue supporting traditional cultural activities for 9 other art teams across various communes.

For investment funding, the total capital plan for the 2021-2024 period is over 30 billion VND, with more than 25 billion VND already disbursed. The implementation of investment in 3 tourism projects for heritage experience destinations and typical tourism spots in the ethnic minority and mountainous areas associated with historical sites in the communes of My Lung, Xuan An, and Minh Hoa. These construction projects are mostly completed and are in the final stages of being handed over for use.

My Lung Commune boasts beautiful landscapes with waterfalls such as Quat Waterfall, Dung Waterfall, and 100-Floor Waterfall, which could be leveraged for tourism development. The abundant spring water in the area is also the source for the special rice variety, Ga Gay My Lung, a product of the province’s OCOP program. In addition, the traditional cultures of the Muong and Dao peoples are preserved. Under Project 6, the commune has received support to build a typical tourist destination associated with the development of the Ga Gay sticky rice cultivation area of the Muong people.

Mr. Dinh Tien Duat, Chairman of My Lung Commune People’s Committee, shared: "Leveraging traditional cultural values in conjunction with tourism opens new opportunities for local economic development. Preserving historical relics and the folk arts of the ethnic minorities, along with restoring traditional production tools, handicrafts, and promoting the unique Ga Gay rice product, all contribute to integrating the preservation of cultural and historical values with the growth of community-based tourism. This will help create livelihoods for the local people."

Nguyen Hue