Culture of Son La ethnic groups is rich in identity

Son La artisans group introduces the "Xoe Thai" dance at the
Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village of Vietnam,
Dong Mo, Son Tay town, Hanoi (Photo: Trung Hieu)

In recent years, tourists from all over the world have known Son La not only because of its majestic and beautiful natural landscape, but also because of the rich cultural values ​​of 12 ethnic groups living here, with land, friendly people, rich in traditional values.

Treasures of diverse tangible and intangible culture, imbued with national identity

Son La has a diverse and rich culture and is imbued with national identity, a place where 12 ethnic groups have lived for a long time. Each ethnic group has a cultural heritage with its own nuances, preciousness and uniqueness, which is a clear proof of the history of the people's formation over thousands of years of living here and the vestiges of the people living here. a heroic resistance war of the Son La ethnic groups.

Son La province has 91 relics, of which 63 have been ranked, including: 2 special national monuments, 15 national monuments, 46 provincial relics. The relics are distributed in all 12 districts and cities, in all 4 types, including: historical - cultural relics, architectural and artistic relics, archaeological relics, and scenic spots. Son La is also a locality with diverse types of archeology, the whole province has 11 archaeological relics that have been recognized, ranked, identified, and named archaeological sites, which have been scientifically documented. There are more than 24,000 artifacts and documents of various types from pre-historic, prehistoric to modern times, which are currently managed and preserved by the Provincial Museum.

Tourists visit Son La Prison Special National Monument

As for intangible cultural heritage, since 2011, Son La province has made a total inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of 9 ethnic groups in 7 categories. Prepare scientific dossiers and submit them to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for inclusion in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage for 15 cultural heritages of ethnic groups, including traditional ceremonies, the art of creating patterns on costumes, the art of Xoe Thai, the dancing of the Khen... In which, "Art of Xoe Thai" has been recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Besides, the ethnic groups in Son La also have many festivals in the year that are typical for traditional customs, practices and beliefs with their own unique characteristics. Especially the big festivals are maintained every year such as: Traditional boat racing festival of Thai ethnic group in Quynh Nhai district; Hoa Ban festivals in the city and Van Ho, along with many rituals and festivals are regularly restored to create special occasions to promote the local image such as: Xen Muong festival, the new rice celebration of the nation. Laos; the ceremony of Praying for Peace (Pang A) of the La Ha ethnic group; Het Cha festival of the white Thai ethnic group Moc Chau; Family worshiping rituals of the Mong people…

In recent years, localities have organized festivals to promote typical agricultural products such as: Plum picking festival, Tea festival (Moc Chau); longan festival (Song Ma); mango festival (Yen Chau); Orange Festival (Phu Yen), Son Tra Fruit Festival (Bac Yen), Coffee Festival (Mai Son)… All have created a diverse, rich and unique cultural picture, with many highlights. stand out, adorn the land of Son La more rich and beautiful.


Performing the bell dance of the Dao ethnic group at Walking Street - Moc Chau night market

Effectively promote traditional cultural values

Resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025 has determined "Building an advanced culture imbued with national identity, promoting cultural values ​​of ethnic groups in Son La and the region." Northwest, building people for comprehensive development"; at the same time, "taking cultural development, building people as the core factor for socio-economic development". The Standing Board of the Son La Provincial Party Committee issued Conclusion No. 335-KL/TU on July 26, 2021 on the approval of the "Project on building and developing Son La culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable development". sustainable development in the 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030", in order to focus on building and developing Son La culture step by step into an important resource of the goal of sustainable and comprehensive development.

The Culture, Sports and Tourism sectors have advised the province to deploy many synchronous solutions in the development of Son La culture. Especially, implementing and integrating programs, plans and projects to develop cultural activities such as preserving and promoting the values ​​of folk songs, folk dances and folk music of ethnic minorities in Son La province. associated with tourism development in the period of 2021-2030; Preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in association with tourism development in Son La province in the period of 2022-2025...

Visitors are excited about the stall dance of the
Thai ethnic group when coming to Moc Chau

Organizing international cooperation activities in culture, sports and tourism, forming an important channel in the province's foreign affairs and introducing the image of people and culture of Son La ethnic groups. In which, there are outstanding events such as: The second Son La - Northwest Color Tourism Event in Hanoi; Culture-Tourism event "Son La - Luang Prabang Love Song" in Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR...

Especially, receiving the tourism awards "Asia's Leading Regional Nature Destination" and "World's Leading Regional Nature Destination" in 2022 for Moc Chau National Tourist Area has helped to deeply promote expand the image of Son La people and culture to the world.

With the maintenance of more than 3,000 mass art teams in the villages, the vigorous development of physical training and sports movements has helped improve the spiritual life of the people and contribute to promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the nation. . The province's training of cultural workers is also focused on strengthening, at the same time encouraging the activities of intellectuals, writers and artists, honoring artisans who have made great contributions to the conservation and development of Vietnamese culture. national culture. Currently, the whole province has 2 People's artisans, 34 Elite artisans who are active factors in teaching and preserving good cultural values ​​of ethnic groups.

Mr. Pham Hong Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: With the goal of "Developing Son La culture, Son La people meet the requirements of sustainable development", in the coming time, The Culture, Sports and Tourism sector continues to promote propaganda and awareness raising for cadres, party members and people of all walks of life about the position and role of culture in the cause of national construction and defense. Actively, flexibly, creatively, taking advantage of scientific and technological achievements and the development of the digital economy to preserve, preserve and promote the good and rich traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities. ethnicity. Focusing on the conservation and restoration of traditional folk festivals, promoting national intangible cultural heritages and representative heritages of humanity in association with economic development and sustainable tourism in localities. direction.

Mass art teams are factors that help preserve
and promote traditional culture of the nation

Culture of Son La ethnic groups is promoting effectively through positive development solutions based on the preservation of traditional values. As a result, the construction and development of the culture and people of Son La in recent years has been achieving many achievements, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province, creating a strong transformation. in social life.

The "Thai Xoe dances", the ceremony of honoring the Dao ethnic people, the "tha bulky" dance of the Mong ethnic group, the traditional rituals, and the unique patterns of the ethnic groups have been popularized to the world. They are known, loved and deeply impressed by domestic and foreign tourists, helping to promote the image of Son La land, people and culture more and more widely, as a driving force for tourism. developer province.

*Writer: Thanh Dao
*Source: Son La Online Newspaper - baosonla.org.vn - Posted on 21/5/2023
*Key word: Son La,native culture,tourism development,