“Keeping the Cultural Flame Alive” in the Muong Community of Cu Dong Commune

Preserving and promoting cultural identity not only enriches spiritual life but also drives socio-economic development. In Cu Dong Commune—where over 70% of the 15,000 residents are ethnic minorities, primarily the Muong people—many beautiful cultural traditions are being preserved and shared within the community.

Support provided through the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, including artifacts like “dam duong” sets and water wheels, has enabled the Muong people of Cu Dong to practice their cultural rituals.

Ms. Ha Thi Thu Hien, Head of the Social-Cultural Department of the commune, introduced us to the Muong Cultural Conservation House. This facility is the passion project of Ms. Dinh Thi Tam (Quyet Tien area), who has painstakingly collected, stored, and displayed traditional Muong artifacts. Individuals like Ms. Tam have been instrumental in spreading a love for ethnic culture to younger generations.

Built in 2019 with private investment from Ms. Tam, the Conservation House features traditional three-compartment architecture with a tiled roof. It houses over 200 artifacts and numerous documents related to the tangible heritage of Muong daily life. Notable items include century-old wooden trays, lime pots, bronze basins, and cotton seed separators. Beyond collecting artifacts, Ms. Tam is an expert in the Muong language and dedicatedly teaches Muong gongs and folk songs to local youths.

Thanks to such proactive individuals, the Quyet Tien area has become a model for preserving traditional identity. The community maintains the “Club for Preserving and Promoting Muong Cultural Identity,” where members regularly practice and perform gong recitals and folk songs during community festivals and competitions. Additionally, using the Muong language in daily communication and wearing ethnic costumes during festivals are enthusiastically embraced by the locals.

At Cu Dong Primary School, a Muong Cultural Club has been established, involving the school board, teachers, and students. The school has set up a display area for labor tools and household items to help students understand traditional beauty. During Monday morning flag ceremonies, the school integrates introductions to intangible cultural heritages. Extracurricular activities focus on Muong musical instruments, folk songs, and cuisine, aiming to raise awareness among students about preserving their ethnic roots.

Recently, under the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, the commune received cultural artifacts valued at 500 million VND. these items were handed over to model residential areas to enhance heritage conservation and meet the people’s needs for cultural practice.

According to Ms. Do Thi Bich Hao, Vice Chairwoman of the Commune People’s Committee, local party committees and authorities consistently prioritize the preservation and promotion of Muong ethnic cultural values through synchronized models and solutions. These include coordinating the inventory, collection, and documentation of intangible cultural values—particularly Mo Muong, the ethnic language, script, and folk melodies; maintaining and organizing traditional festivals; and establishing core clubs and art troupes in residential areas. Furthermore, the commune encourages wearing Muong traditional costumes in schools and during festivals, while stepping up communication and education to raise awareness in preserving and spreading cultural values within the community, thereby creating a catalyst for local socio-economic development.

Bui Minh