A parade and performance of Muong ethnic culture at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi. Photo: Hoang Nghia

In Son La province, the Muong people account for approximately 7% of the total population, mainly residing in the communes of Phu Yen, Gia Phu, Muong Bang, Bac Yen, Muong Coi, Kim Bon, etc. The Muong people are known for their epic poems, ancient folk tales, and rich, long-standing traditional culture. Among these are distinctive folk performances such as the Muong dance, folk singing, Muong gong music, and the drum-beating ritual.

Having been involved with the Muong culture since a young age, the Muong folk songs, rituals, and shamanic practices of the Muong people, Meritorious Artisan Dinh Quang Chuong from Kim Bon commune is a dedicated artist deeply committed to Muong culture. He is a skilled shaman respected and loved by the Muong people. For more than half his life, Mr. Chuong has devoted himself to researching and collecting folk knowledge, traditional ritual skills, and composing and compiling many unique Muong folk songs. Mr. Chuong shared: "The Muong folk songs, rituals, and shamanic practices contain a treasure trove of history, knowledge, and moral teachings... Therefore, as long as I have my health, I will always try to pass them on to the younger generation so that Muong culture can be preserved."

The Muong ethnic group's ritual of pulling the banyan tree.

The traditional customs of the Muong people have many unique features that are still preserved intact, especially ancient rituals such as: the Mợi ritual, the pulling of the banyan tree, the going down to the fields ceremony, the pounding of the rice stalks, the celebration of the new rice harvest... all carry profound humanistic meanings, expressing the belief in ancestor worship, the worship of deities, reverence for nature, the source of life for people, and the desire for health, abundant harvests, and a peaceful and beautiful life.

With the desire to contribute to the preservation of the traditional culture of the Muong ethnic group, for many years, Mr. Dinh Minh Suat, from Pe village, Bac Yen commune, has built a Muong cultural space right in his home, bringing together people with a shared passion to establish the Bac Yen Muong Culture Club with 25 members aged 50-70. The club meets regularly, teaches each other traditional folk songs, practices ancient rituals, restores traditional crafts such as weaving, embroidery, and brocade making, and actively participates in competitions, performances, and cultural exchanges. Mr. Suat said: "Faced with the risk of traditional culture fading away, we hope that the club's activities will contribute to preserving and promoting the values ​​of the Muong ethnic group's roots, and awaken pride and love for culture in the younger generation."

A performance of excerpts from the Mợi festival rituals of the Muong ethnic group.

Over the years, various sectors and localities have undertaken numerous activities to preserve and promote the Muong ethnic culture, such as: restoring rituals, customs, and traditional crafts; encouraging the establishment of Muong cultural clubs; and teaching Muong folk songs and rituals. Simultaneously, they have organized cultural and tourism events linked to the preservation of traditional ethnic customs, creating opportunities for performing arts groups and cultural clubs to perform, exchange ideas, and showcase their culture.

This performance is an evolution of the Muong ethnic group's traditional drum dance.

In November 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a folk art troupe to participate in the 2nd Muong Ethnic Culture Festival at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village, Dong Mo, Hanoi. Participating in the festival, the artisans and folk art enthusiasts presented a unique artistic program, including excerpts from the Moi ritual, Muong gong performances, and introductions to traditional crafts. They won high awards at the festival, bringing pride to the Muong community. Mr. Dinh Van Dao, from Gia Phu commune, a member of the troupe participating in the 2nd Muong Ethnic Culture Festival, enthusiastically said: "Participating in the performance at the festival, I feel proud to have contributed to introducing and spreading the culture of the Muong people to friends and tourists."

A traditional dance of the Muong people.

The traditional culture of the Muong ethnic group in Son La is gradually being exploited to serve the goals of preservation, building grassroots cultural life, and developing community tourism. Traditional rituals and beliefs rich in value are being researched, documented as heritage, and recognized as artisans for their significant contributions. In 2023, Muong shamanism was included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

According to the plan of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in the period 2026-2030, the Department will continue to conduct research, surveys, inventories, and documentation of the cultural heritage of ethnic groups in Son La, including the Muong ethnic group. At the same time, it will strengthen propaganda to raise awareness among local Party committees, authorities, and the people about the position and role of culture; and improve specific mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of community tourism associated with the preservation and promotion of the cultural values ​​of ethnic groups, contributing to building Son La into a unique cultural destination in the Northwest region.

Text and photos: Thanh Dao