Thanks to creative methods, the unique cultural identity of ethnic groups in Son La province is not only preserved but also promoted in contemporary life.

These efforts not only contribute to increasing people's income but also create a solid foundation for comprehensive development of Son La land and people.

Solidarity dance of the people of Thom Mon commune, Thuan Chau district at the archaeological site of Ban Mon stone roof.

Thuan Chau is home to about 39,500 households, including the following ethnic groups: Thai, Mong, La Ha, Kho Mu, Khang... In which, the La Ha people are one of 14 ethnic groups with specific difficulties according to Decision No. 1227/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister.

Implementing the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 Period (National Target Program 1719), villages with a large number of La Ha ethnic people in the district have benefited from investment resources and support from Sub-project 1 of Project 9. Infrastructure has been invested, essential and urgent needs in life have been gradually resolved. La Ha ethnic people in Thuan Chau have also been supported to restore and promote their traditional cultural identity.

Notable among them is the re-enactment of the Lang Pang A festival (also known as Thanksgiving) of the La Ha ethnic group in Han village, Chieng Pha commune at the end of November 2024. This is a unique and humane form of cultural activity of the La Ha ethnic group, but for a long time, due to many reasons, the people did not have the conditions to practice it.

Restoring the festival not only meets the religious needs of the people but also contributes to building cultural tourism products, creating a typical highlight, attracting visitors to Thuan Chau district.

Tourists participate in bamboo dance when coming to Quynh Nhai

Like Thuan Chau, other localities in Son La province have been effectively “transforming” investment resources and support from the National Target Program 1719 to preserve and promote typical cultural values of ethnic minorities, associated with tourism development. Along with majestic nature, diverse ecosystems, traditional culture is preserved, exploited and promoted, becoming an attractive factor, “breathing life” into Son La tourism.

The unique features of Son La ethnic culture have been widely promoted, their values exploited, and highlighted famous tourist areas and spots in the province, creating an attraction for Son La tourism in recent times. According to statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DOCST), in the first quarter of this year, the whole province welcomed 1.76 million tourists, with revenue of VND1,985 billion. In May, the number of tourists reached 2,587, with revenue of VND3,038 billion.

Quynh Nhai "river area" is a destination for tourists when coming to Son La.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Hong Thu, Son La is a place where many ethnic groups have long lived, each of which has a treasure trove of cultural heritage with its own unique and extremely valuable characteristics. In the process of national innovation, international integration, and the 4.0 scientific and technological revolution, Son La's culture and people have absorbed and exchanged cultures from regions, countries in the region and internationally, creating a diverse culture rich in identity.

In that process, from programs and projects, especially the National Target Program 1719, Son La province pays special attention to implementing activities to preserve and promote the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic groups. Cultural preservation work is always implemented by the province in conjunction with local economic development, especially tourism development.

A positive result is that traditional cultural identities are preserved and promoted, contributing to pushing back bad customs, becoming a solvent to "transform" the Party and State's policies and guidelines into life. The core values and fine traditions of Son La's culture and people are preserved and promoted, becoming a solid spiritual foundation, creating a strong driving force, an important endogenous strength for Son La to integrate into the historical flow of the whole nation, strongly arousing patriotism, the will to be self-reliant, and the aspiration to build a prosperous and happy country.