Mong Cai city (Quang Ninh province) has recently paid great attention to the preservation and promotion of the outstanding cultural values of the Dao village at Po Hen hamlet in Hai Son commune.
The traditional cultural values of the Dao Thanh Y ethnic group in Hai Son Commune have been preserved and promoted.
The Dao village at Po Hen hamlet in Hai Son commune is one of the four ethnic minority villages carrying out the pilot project on preserving and promoting traditional cultures in connection with the development of community-based tourism in mountainous areas for the 2023–2025 period under the the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 161/KH-UBND dated June 21, 2023.
Mong Cai city has developed a detailed 1/500-scale plan for the Community Cultural Tourism Village at Po Hen hamlet, restored the Po Hrn market fair, and preserved cultural heritage in connection with tourism development through the Border Myrtle Flower Festival in Hai Son Commune.
The Po Hen market fair
Regarding intangible cultural heritage, especially folk performing arts, over 10 intangible cultural heritage elements of ethnic minority and mountainous communities have been documented and archived. The city has also maintained and effectively operated two folk art clubs: Dao Thanh Y Antiphonal Singing and San Chi Soong Co Singing in Hai Son Commune. Additionally, efforts have been made to pass down folk performing arts to younger generations, enabling them to learn and practice their own ethnic cultural heritage.
Furthermore, some traditional cultural activities such as the Lễ Cấp Sắc (Maturity Ritual), Lễ Xuống Đồng (Field Blessing Ceremony), and folk games like stick pushing and pao throwing have gained in popularity in the community.
The city has successfully proposed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism recognize San Chi Soong Cọ Singing and the Dao Thanh Y Maturity Ritual as part of the national intangible cultural heritage list. Additionally, work is underway to submit nominations for the inclusion of Dao Thanh Phan traditional attire and the Tay New Rice Celebration in the national heritage list.
By Trung Thanh
