Tan Lac Commune Organizes Khu Che Temple Festival and Receives National Intangible Cultural Heritage Status

On the morning of February 22 (the 6th day of the 2026 Lunar New Year), at the Khu Che Temple historical site, Tan Lac Commune solemnly organized its traditional festival and held a ceremony to receive the decision recognizing the “Art of creating patterns on Muong ethnic skirt waistbands” as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Khu Che Temple Festival began with a spiritual ritual of collecting sacred water from the Vo Vong Well to offer to the deities and the Tutelary God. For generations, the Khu Che Temple has been a spiritual symbol and a pillar of faith for the ancient Muong Khoi people and the modern residents of Tan Lac. The festival is an occasion for the community to review their heroic history and commemorate the merits of their ancestors, particularly the revered Tutelary God of Quan Khoi.

Sacred water is collected by seven of the region’s most beautiful young virgins from the village well and brought to the temple as an offering.

Following the water collection, Shaman practitioners performed offering rituals and reported to the deities at the temple, followed by a palanquin procession of the Tutelary God to the main festival grounds.

The solemn organization of the 2026 Khu Che Temple Festival serves as a testament to the solidarity of the political system and the consensus of the local people. This event is not only a spiritual cultural activity but also a concrete step in implementing the Resolution of the 1st Tan Lac Commune Party Congress (2025–2030); it marks an important beginning to promote cultural-spiritual tourism and transform Tan Lac into an attractive destination rich in identity.

At the ceremonial site, the shamans report the past year’s achievements to the deities and pray for a new year of favorable weather and bountiful crops.

Following the ritual portion, the festive section featured unique cultural performances reenacting the vibrant ethnic atmosphere of the Tan Lac region.

A highlight of the festival was the announcement by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Ministry’s decision to include the “Art of creating patterns on Muong ethnic skirt waistbands” in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Authorized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Mr. Bui Xuan Truong – Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, presented the National Intangible Cultural Heritage certificate to Tan Lac Commune.

The art of creating patterns on skirt waistbands is the crystallization of the wisdom, soul, and skillful hands of Muong women. The core value of the waistband lies in its rich pattern system, which serves both decorative purposes and holds profound cultural depth—reflecting their worldview, philosophy of life, aesthetic sense, and aspirations for prosperity and happiness. Every line and motif tells a story of origins, labor, and the spiritual life of the community.

The Khu Che Temple Spring Festival 2026, with its solemn rituals and traditional folk games such as shuttlecock throwing, stick pushing, and crossbow shooting, has created a truly distinctive cultural space for the land of Tan Lac.

Manh Hung