The northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, home to 19 ethnic groups, has been making efforts to implement solutions to preserve and promote the rich cultural values of its ethnic minority communities.
Dien Bien is home to 19 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique customs and traditions. This diversity requires the province to not only focus on economic development and improving living standards but also to take measures to preserve and enhance the cultural values of its people.
Black Thai people in their traditional costumes perform rain rituals during the rain praying festival in Dien Bien Province.
In recent years, with the support of the Party and State, and the efforts of local authorities at all levels, significant progress has been made in this area. Especially between 2021 and 2023, under the national target programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minorities and mountainous areas, Dien Bien has developed plans and issued resolutions to implement various projects. Among these, the project of preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities linked with tourism development has been given special attention.
Additionally, many programmes and projects have been carried out to preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage, such as the project to conserve traditional costumes of ethnic minorities and the project to continue preserving and developing the culture of the province's ethnic groups linked with socio-economic development for the 2016-2020 period, with a vision to 2025.
Rain praying festival of black Thai people in Lieng Village, Noong Luong Commune in Dien Bien District, is a unique cultural tradition passed down through generations. The festival is considered the most significant ritual of the year for the black Thai people. It symbolises the spiritual connection between the earth and sky, reflecting their desire to conquer nature. It also serves to pray for abundant rainfall for fields, rivers, lakes, and ponds, ensuring a good harvest, plentiful fish and shrimp, lush vegetation, and overall prosperity and happiness.
To preserve and promote this valuable traditional cultural heritage, the People's Committee of Dien Bien District organised a reenactment of the black Thai rain praying festival in late April 2024. This event aimed to raise community awareness, especially among the younger generation, fostering pride in their traditional culture and a greater love for their homeland.
There are 472 households of Xinh Mun people in Chieng So Commune in Dien Bien Dong District with over 2,200 individuals. Despite their rich cultural heritage, many aspects of Xinh Mun culture, including traditional attire and beliefs, have diminished over time, particularly the new rice festival.
Historically, the new rice festival was held around late August to early September each year. This traditional folk ritual, passed down through generations, reflects the unique aspects of Xinh Mun history, culture, and economy through legends, performances, folk songs, dances, and beliefs.
To preserve and promote the distinctive cultural values of the Xinh Mun people, Dien Bien Dong District has implemented measures to maintain and expand the festival's significance. The new rice festival has now been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.
Lo Van Dung, Secretary of Chieng So Commune’s Party Committee, stated that preserving and promoting the traditional cultural practices of the Xinh Mun people is crucial. It contributes to maintaining the rich tapestry of ethnic cultures in the province, encourages recognition and enhances awareness among the public and various levels of government in safeguarding these cultural values.
In recent years, Dien Bien Province has focused on preserving and promoting the cultural values of ethnic minorities, such as the fire jumping festival of the Dao people in Huoi Sau Village, Pa Tan Commune in Nam Po District; the new crop ceremony of the Kho Mu people in Huoi Lot Village, Muong Mun Commune in Tuan Giao District; the new rice festival of the Lao people in Muong Luan Village, Muong Luan Commune in Dien Bien Dong District. The province has also preserved traditional crafts of the H’Mong people and the traditional festivals of the Thai, H’Mong, Kho Mu and Cong ethnic groups.
Additionally, there are efforts to teach traditional Thai dance and Lam Vong dance. These initiatives have helped revive and promote the cultural heritage of the ethnic communities, turning them into tourism assets and showcasing the beauty of Dien Bien’s people and landscape.
By Thanh Dat