Preserving the Soul of Muong Khenh through Dinh Khenh Festival

In the unique cultural space of the ancient Muong region, the Dinh Khenh Festival (Thuong Coc Commune) has been gradually restored, becoming a cultural rendezvous rich in identity. More than just a religious activity, the festival serves as a repository for community memories, connecting tradition with the present while opening new directions for cultural preservation linked with local tourism development.

The procession of the Village Tutelary God and deities to the festival.

Restoring a Unique Cultural Heritage

The Dinh Khenh Festival, also known as “Keo hoi Dinh Khenh,” is held over three days (from the 12th to the 14th day of the first lunar month) in Muong Khenh, Thuong Coc Commune. This is an ancient land deeply imprinted with Muong culture.

Dinh Khenh was ranked as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic in 2020. According to legend, this site is associated with Lord Chuong Tin and Lady Trieu An, who gathered troops to fight invaders and protect the Muong land. The festival had been interrupted for nearly 70 years until 2018, when it was restored based on documents and folk memories.

The view of Dinh Khenh on the main festival day.

Mr. Bui Manh Cuong – Vice Chairman of Thuong Coc Commune People’s Committee and Head of the 2026 Festival Organizing Committee – stated: "The restoration was meticulously carried out based on the memories of elders to recreate the traditional rituals as authentically as possible. We hope the festival becomes a unique cultural highlight to promote the image of Thuong Coc’s land and people to tourists."

A Ritual Space Steeped in Identity

The festival begins with the procession of the King, Lord Chuong Tin, Lady Trieu An, and the village tutelary gods. The procession passes through hamlets and fields to the powerful sounds of gongs and drums.

The procession passes through village roads, fields, and familiar mountains of Muong Khenh.

Next is the “Bong com - Trai lua” (Flower of rice) ritual, a symbol of prosperity linked to ancient agricultural beliefs. A mysterious highlight is the water-stirring ritual at the communal well, taking place at the hour of the Rat on the night of the 13th. The Muong believe that water only rises during festival days, symbolizing harmony between humans and nature.

On the main festival day, 45 offering trays are presented at the communal house. The ritual of distributing lucky rice – specifically the Trung Khe sticky rice, a local specialty – is performed to pray for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life.

When the Mo Muong artisan completes the rituals, tourists from all over are invited into the communal house to join the festival amidst the joy of the local villagers.

Beside that are rituals rich in humanity, such as calling birds, which demonstrates an awareness of protecting the ecosystem; turning the Da Ha statue, carrying the philosophy of suppressing evil and guiding people toward goodness; or the ritual at the temple dedicated to the Ngo general, which reflects the tolerance and humanistic conduct of the community.

People’s Artisan Bui Van Minh, the presiding shaman, shared: "Each ritual in the Dinh Khenh Festival carries its own meaning, but all guide people toward goodness and harmony with nature."

Locals receiving “lucky rice” from the Festival Organizing Committee.

Community Vitality and Tourism Development

The unique highlight is the “Keo hoi” ritual – where young men and women in traditional costumes hold silk ribbons and move rhythmically in patterns symbolizing peace and community bonding. The vibrant sounds of pounding the wooden mortar not only create an exciting atmosphere but also recall ancient labor practices.

The “Keo hoi” ritual.

The festival concludes with the wrist-tying ceremony and an invitation to drink straw wine with wishes for peace and luck.

In recent years, Thuong Coc Commune has integrated cultural preservation with community tourism. The locality promotes Muong folk songs, Mo Muong oratory, gong teams, and traditional stilt house architecture. The Dinh Khenh Festival is not just a memory of the past; it exists as a “living heritage” – where the soul of the Muong land is preserved and continues to be revitalized in contemporary life.

Hong Duyen