Muong Thang: Preserving and Promoting Ethnic Cultural Identity

For the 2025–2030 tenure, the Muong Thang Commune Party Committee has identified its core mission: "Enhancing the leadership and combativeness of Party committees; promoting democracy and the strength of great national unity; accelerating administrative reform and digital transformation; effectively exploiting local potential and strengths; and preserving and promoting ethnic cultural identity..." Among these, the preservation and promotion of cultural identity have been granted special priority by the commune.

Muong gongs are performed during major festivals and events in Muong Thang Commune.

Established through the merger of four communes—Thach Yen, Dung Phong, Nam Phong, and Tay Phong—Muong Thang Commune possesses a large area and population, with the Muong ethnic group accounting for 88.1%. As one of the four major Muong regions—Bi, Vang, Thang, and Dong—of the former Hoa Binh province, this is an ancient land steeped in Muong cultural heritage. The area still preserves many unique Muong cultural features, such as stilt houses, the native language, traditional festivals, ethnic costumes, Thuong rang and Bo meng singing, gong artistry, Mo (shamanic rituals), the “Birth of Soil and Water” epic, and soul-calling rituals.

In recent years, the conservation of cultural values has been prioritized, gradually forming signature spiritual cultural products. Notable examples include the Muong Thang Season Opening Festival held on the 6th day of the first lunar month and the Khanh Pagoda Festival on the 5th day. These festivals are imbued with the essence of traditional culture while being vividly expressed in modern life, meeting the healthy cultural needs of the people.

A key highlight is the Muong Thang Season Opening Ceremony, a vital component of the province’s Muong Ethnic Khai Ha Festival—a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival features solemn rituals and vibrant folk games such as gong performances, Vi singing, Con throwing, and crossbow shooting. Typically held at the Mieu Ca Muong Thang Temple, the festival aims to foster community bonds and preserve Muong identity. It commemorates the merits of the Great Mother, the Tutelary God, and the ancestors who reclaimed the land and taught the people to cultivate rice, while praying for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and national peace.

The ceremony consists of two main parts: The Ritual section includes offerings to the deities and the Tutelary God at Mieu Ca Temple, followed by a palanquin procession of the Great Mother from the temple to the stadium. The “Gong Calling” and “Gong Introducing” rituals are performed by a Shaman, followed by the Khai Ha drum opening by the village head. The Festive section features unique art performances, Muong gong displays, and traditional folk songs such as Vi, Dum, and Sec Pua. Activities also include traditional meal tray competitions, cultural exchanges, and ethnic costume shows. Attending the festival, visitors can experience various folk games, including Còn throwing, crossbow shooting, tug-of-war, rice pounding, top spinning, and Mảng hitting.

The palanquin procession at the Muong Thang Season Opening Festival attracts a large number of residents and tourists.

Mr. Bui Van Lien – Vice Chairman of the Muong Thang Commune People’s Committee, emphasized: "Muong Thang Season Opening Festival is a major event with profound cultural value. To preserve the soul of Muong Thang culture, the commune has implemented comprehensive solutions, focusing on investing in prominent historical and cultural relic clusters to enhance the beauty and attraction of our land and people."

In the coming period, the commune will continue to focus on preserving Muong customs, beliefs, cuisine, costumes, Mo Muong, and gongs. A key strategy is to link cultural preservation with the development of community-based tourism. The commune plans to implement sustainable programs to research, restore, and promote Muong values—from language to traditional practices—while organizing annual festivals to introduce the historical treasures of Muong Thang to visitors from near and far.

Huong Lan