In Son La, the Muong people account for about 7% of the province’s population, living mainly in communes such as Phu Yen, Gia Phu, Muong Bang, Bac Yen, Muong Coi and Kim Bon. The Muong ethnic group is known through ancient epic poems, folk tales, and a rich, long-standing traditional culture. Notable among these are distinctive forms of folk performance such as dang Muong, vi Muong, chieng Muong (gongs) and dam duong.

Having been exposed to Muong folk art forms from a very young age, meritorious artisan Dinh Quang Chuong of Kim Bon commune is a devoted cultural practitioner and a highly respected mo (a traditional folk ritual) among the Muong people. Over more than half his life, Chuong has dedicated himself to researching and collecting folk knowledge, mastering traditional ritual practices, and composing and compiling many distinctive Muong folk songs. He shared: “Dang Muong, vi Muong, and mo Muong are folk songs that contain an entire treasury of history, knowledge, and moral teachings on how to be a good person. Therefore, as long as my health allows, I always try to pass them on to the younger generation so that Muong culture can be preserved.”

The traditional customs of the Muong people feature many unique characteristics that are still well preserved, especially long-standing rituals such as the Moi ritual, banyan tree-pulling ceremony, plowing festival, dam duong, and new rice celebration. These rituals carry profound humanistic meanings, reflecting ancestor worship, reverence for deities, respect for nature - the source of human life - and aspirations for good health, abundant harvests, and a peaceful, prosperous life.

With the desire to contribute to the preservation of Muong traditional culture, for many years Dinh Minh Suat of Pe hamlet, Bac Yen commune, has built a Muong cultural space right in his home. He has brought together people with the same passion to establish the Bac Yen Muong Culture Club, with 25 members aged between 50 and 70. The club holds regular activities, teaching dang Muong and vi Muong, practicing traditional rituals, reviving handicrafts such as bamboo weaving, embroidery, and brocade weaving, and actively participating in contests, performances, and cultural exchanges. Suat said: “Facing the risk of the fading of traditional culture, we hope the club’s activities will help preserve and promote the original values of the Muong ethnic group, inspiring pride and love for cultural heritage among the younger generation.”

In recent years, sectors and local authorities have carried out many activities to preserve and promote Muong culture, such as restoring rituals, customs, and traditional crafts; encouraging the establishment of Muong cultural clubs; and teaching folk songs and mo chanting. At the same time, cultural and tourism events associated with preserving traditional values have been organised, creating opportunities for art troupes and cultural clubs to perform, exchange, and introduce their culture.

In November 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organised a community art troupe to participate in the 2nd Muong Ethnic Culture Festival at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Dong Mo, Hanoi. At the festival, artisans and grassroots cultural performers presented distinctive art programmes, excerpts from the Moi ritual, Muong gong performances, and introductions to traditional handicrafts, winning high prizes and bringing pride to the Muong community.

Traditional Muong culture in Son La is gradually being utilised to serve the goals of preservation, building grassroots cultural life, and developing community-based tourism. Valuable traditional rituals and beliefs have been researched, documented, and recognised as heritage, and artisans with significant contributions have been honoured. In 2023, mo Muong was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

According to the plan of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, during the 2026-2030 period, the department will continue research, surveys, inventories, and the preparation of heritage dossiers for the ethnic cultures of Son La, including the Muong ethnic group. At the same time, efforts will be intensified to raise awareness among Party committees, local authorities, and the public about the position and role of culture; to improve specific mechanisms and policies that encourage the development of community-based tourism associated with preserving and promoting the cultural values of ethnic groups, contributing to making Son La a distinctive cultural destination of the northwestern region.