The cultural space of the Thai ethnic group, with its lively sounds of the khene (a traditional wind instrument) and other music at any event, attracts a large number of locals and tourists who come to visit, experience, and explore.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien, a tourist from Quang Ninh, shared her experience visiting the cultural space of the Thai people in Chieng Coi ward, within the framework of the pedestrian street activities of Son La city (formerly), now Chieng Coi ward, Son La province. She said that each ethnic group has its own unique culture, but the Thai people of Son La have very unique and distinctive cultural features. She felt very happy and wonderful immersing herself in the cultural experience of the Thai people here.

Thai women in Son La province work together to preserve their ethnic culture.

The Thai people have a belief in ancestor worship, and worship of agricultural gods and river and mountain gods.

The village of Bản Chậu Cọ, Chiềng Cơi ward, Sơn La province, has 386 households and nearly 1,100 inhabitants, mainly ethnic Thái people. In 2020, the village's Thái Culture Club was established with the aim of preserving and promoting the unique cultural identity of the ethnic group.

According to Mr. Leo Dung Nhi, the club's chairman, every Friday evening, club members gather at the village cultural center to practice dancing, singing, and sharing about the customs, language, and writing system of their ethnic group. For each meeting, the management board develops a plan based on a specific theme, operating through a socialized approach that mobilizes voluntary participation from individuals and the community. To date, the club has attracted over 60 members; the youngest is 12 years old, and the oldest is over 70.

"Since its establishment, our club has been operating regularly, mainly collecting items related to the production activities and daily life of our people to display at the village's cultural center; secondly, we also research and restore ancient songs and dances of our ethnic group to teach to the younger generation. Simultaneously, we also encourage the elderly – those knowledgeable about the customs, traditions, and cultural aspects of our ethnic group – to teach and guide us, so that we can gain more knowledge to pass on to today's youth...", Mr. Lèo Dũng Nhi said.

                     

The Thai cultural club in Chau Co village, Chieng Coi ward (Son La province) holds regular meetings every Friday evening.

Members of the Thai Culture Club in Chau Co village shared information about the culture and writing system of their ethnic group.

For many years, Mr. Quang Van Hac, residing in Bo village, Chieng An ward, Son La city (formerly), now Chieng An ward, Son La province, has been dedicated to teaching the ancient Thai script to his children, grandchildren, and other villagers with pride and love for the cultural beauty of his ethnic group. His first classes started with just a few students, but later grew to over 100. Through this, he has helped many people learn to read and write their ethnic script, preventing its disappearance.

Lu Quynh Huong, a young woman who learned the ancient Thai script from Mr. Hac, said she was very happy and proud to not only be able to speak her ethnic language but also write the ancient Thai script.

"I am very grateful to Mr. Hac for teaching us and other young people about the beautiful cultural aspects of our nation. We will definitely work together to preserve and pass them on forever," Quynh Huong expressed.

Mr. Quang Van Hac passed on the ancient Thai script to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Thai ethnic group lives in many provinces such as Yen Bai, Hoa Binh (formerly), Thanh Hoa, Nghe An… but is most concentrated in the Northwest provinces, including Son La, Lai Chau and Bien Bien. With approximately over 1.8 million people, the Thai are the third largest ethnic group in Vietnam; they are also one of the ethnic groups with their own language and writing system.

In terms of religion and beliefs, the Thai people worship their ancestors, agricultural deities, and deities of rivers and mountains. These worship practices are closely linked to annual festivals such as the rice planting ceremony, the rain-praying ceremony, the rice spirit procession ceremony, the harvest prayer ceremony, and the new rice celebration. Thai wedding and funeral customs are strictly organized according to traditional rituals.

According to Mr. Lo Van Ruong, 86 years old, from Tong village, Chieng An Ward, Son La City (formerly), now Chieng An Ward, Son La province – a famous shaman in the area – in the journey of preserving the cultural identity of the Thai people, perhaps the most difficult task is teaching the younger generation how to perform shamanic rituals and ceremonies.

"I'm not boasting too much, but in the whole area, I'm currently the only one who knows the proper shamanic rituals. There are many shamans, but only I know how to perform them properly and thoroughly. I've taught many people, but some young people don't want to learn, and others learn but don't do it properly because learning shamanic rituals is difficult... in general, finding someone to succeed as a shaman is not easy," Mr. Ruong said.

Shaman Lo Van Ruong performs the ritual.

Mr. Ruong (on the right) always emphasizes teaching the younger generation to preserve the national cultural identity.

Despite facing numerous challenges, and in the context of a modern society with strong cultural exchange, some customs and traditions of the Thai people have been gradually fading away. However, recognizing that national cultural identity is a precious spiritual value and a source of pride for every nation and people, every member of the Thai ethnic group in Son La - Northwest Vietnam, especially artisans and those knowledgeable about the culture, is working daily with relevant agencies and authorities at all levels to preserve and promote the beauty of their ethnic group, enriching the cultural identity within the community of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

 

A large number of locals and tourists participated in experiencing the Xoe dance performance with the Thai ethnic people of Son La province within the framework of the pedestrian street organized in Chieng Coi ward, Son La province.