The Thai dance club of Muong Khoa commune performed at the Bac Yen District Culture, Sports and Tourism Week in 2024.

Sop Cop District has over 96% of its population belonging to the Thai, Mong, Lao, and Khmu ethnic groups. Implementing the Project to preserve and promote the valuable traditional culture of ethnic minorities in conjunction with tourism development, the district has directed relevant agencies and communes to preserve languages, scripts, festivals, traditional crafts, and folk games. Ms. Tong Thi Kien, Vice Chairman of the Sop Cop District People's Committee, said: From the beginning of the year until now, the district has provided over 641 million VND in support to performing arts groups; purchased cultural equipment for villages and organized the Khau Ho Tet festival of the Lao ethnic group. A model "Mong ethnic folk culture club" has been established in Pu Hao village, Muong Lan commune. In coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, training and teaching of folk songs were organized for 63 people of the Khơ Mú ethnic group... Currently, 90% of the villages in the district have cultural centers, maintaining the operation of 178 village art troupes.

Meanwhile, in the Moc Chau National Tourist Area, the district has focused on building tourism infrastructure; purchasing costumes, props, musical instruments, sound and lighting equipment to meet the training and performance needs of local art troupes; and restoring and recreating some unique traditional festivals of ethnic minorities.

Construction of a cultural center in Ta So 1 community tourism village, Chieng Hac commune, Moc Chau district.

Mr. Ha Manh Cuong, Head of the Ethnic Affairs Department of Moc Chau District, said: The Department is coordinating with the District's Investment and Construction Project Management Board to accelerate the construction progress of the Mong ethnic cultural preservation project in Ta So 1 village, Chieng Hac commune. In coordination with the District's Department of Culture and Information, they have provided over 200 million VND in support to the performing arts groups in Doi village, Tan Lap commune; purchased equipment for 11 villages in Chieng Hac commune; established a Mong ethnic folk culture club in Nong Truong town, Moc Chau; and restored and performed the Pung Hieng festival (Summer New Year) of the Dao Tien people in Phieng Luong commune...

Mr. Mua A Di, Party Secretary and Head of Ta So 1 village, shared: The village has 197 households and 1,171 inhabitants; it has an ancient house, a traditional blacksmith's forge, and 3 homestays serving tourists for sightseeing and experiences. The district is currently investing in building a community cultural center, a stage, and a sports field; once completed, it will help the village better serve tourists and increase the income of the people from tourism.

Implementing Project 6 on preserving and promoting the valuable traditional culture of ethnic minorities in conjunction with tourism development, since the beginning of the year, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has organized 5 training courses on cultural heritage for 331 ethnic minority people; 4 training courses on professional skills for 341 people in the city; 4 training courses on tourist service skills for 189 people; and organized workshops on developing tourism products in ethnic minority and mountainous areas...

The gate and pedestrian walkway leading to the Muong Va Tower tourist site in Muong Va commune, Sop Cop district, have been constructed with investment.

Mr. Pham Hong Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: The Department advises the Provincial People's Committee to propose to the Central Government to continue resolving difficulties and obstacles in the implementation of the project. It mobilizes the participation of the community and people in the work of preserving, promoting, and safeguarding traditional cultural values. It strengthens training and capacity building for cultural officials at the commune level, artisans, and influential figures in disseminating, preserving, and promoting the value of folk performing arts of ethnic minorities; developing unique tourism products, building an image of Son La's rich cultural identity, and attracting domestic and international tourists.

The goal by 2025 is to strive for 97% of villages in the province to have cultural centers; traditional performing arts groups will operate regularly and with high quality. The province is currently directing the review, restoration, preservation, and prevention of degradation of special national relics and national relics of outstanding value belonging to ethnic minorities. At the same time, investment is being made in infrastructure and cultural institutions for particularly disadvantaged communes and villages, contributing to the promotion of the valuable traditional culture of ethnic minorities in conjunction with tourism development.

Source: Son La Newspaper