As part of the national target programme for socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous regions, Project 6 has gradually enhanced the spiritual lives of the people.

In Sop Cop district, where over 96% of the population are from the Thai, Mong, Lao, and Kho Mu ethnic groups, local authorities have directed relevant agencies and communes to preserve their languages, scripts, festivals, traditional crafts, and folk games. Tong Thi Kien, Vice Chairwoman of the district People’s Committee, reported that since the beginning of this year, the district has allocated over 641 million VND (25,316 USD) to support art teams, purchase cultural equipment for local communities, and organize the Khau ho Festival for the Lao ethnic group. Among the efforts are the establishment of the “Mong Ethnic Folk Culture Club” in Pu Hao hamlet, Muong Lan commune, and the organization of a training course in folk songs for 63 Kho Mu people. Currently, 90% of the hamlets in the district have cultural houses, while 178 local art teams are maintained.

At the Moc Chau National Tourism Area, Moc Chau district has focused on developing tourism infrastructure, purchasing costumes, props, musical instruments, and sound and lighting equipment to meet the training and performance needs of local art teams. The district has also restored and recreated several distinctive traditional festivals of ethnic minorities.

Ha Manh Cuong, head of the district Division of Ethnic Affairs, stated that the agency has collaborated with the project management unit to expedite the construction of the Mong ethnic cultural preservation site in Ta So 1 hamlet, Chieng Hac commune. It has coordinated with the district Culture and Information Division to support over 200 million VND for art teams in Doi hamlet, Tan Lap commune, and to provide equipment for 11 hamlets in Chieng Hac commune. It has also established a Mong ethnic folk culture club in Moc Chau Farm town as well as revived the Pung Hieng (End of the Year) Festival of the Dao Tien ethnic people in Phieng Luong commune.

Mua A Di, Secretary of the Party cell and head of Ta So 1 hamlet, shared that the hamlet has 197 households with 1,171 people. It features a traditional house, a traditional forge, and three homestays for visitors. The district is currently investing in the construction of a community cultural house, a stage, and a sports area, which will enhance the local ability to serve tourists and increase locals’ income from tourism.

Since the beginning of the year, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has organized five training courses to impart cultural heritage knowledge to 331 ethnic minority participants; four professional training sessions for 341 individuals in Son La city; four tourism skill enhancement courses for 189 people, and workshops on developing tourism products in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous regions.

Pham Hong Thu, Deputy Director of the department, noted that the department has advised the provincial People’s Committee to propose the central government continue to remove difficulties in project implementation. The focus is on mobilizing community participation in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values. Efforts are made to enhance training for cultural officials, artisans, and respected individuals in the community to promote and preserve the folk arts of ethnic minorities, while developing unique tourism products that showcase the rich cultural identity of Son La, attracting both domestic and international tourists.

By 2025, the province aims for 97% of hamlets to have cultural houses, with traditional art teams operating regularly and effectively. The province is currently directing a review and restoration of special and typical national cultural relics of ethnic minorities, while investing in infrastructure and cultural facilities in especially disadvantaged communes and hamlets, thus promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities linked to tourism development.