Sơn La is home to 12 ethnic groups, each with their own cultural identities. Apart from preserving traditional festivals, local departments and agencies have paid attention to the conservation and promotion of folk sports and games, thus contributing to promoting the unique culture of Son La.

Muong Va commune in Sop Cop district organised the “Khau ho” festival on September 29-30, attracting crowds of locals and tourists.

Leaf flute has a clear and melodious sound like the song of a nightingale. The Mong ethnic people use the sound of a musical leaf to express their feelings and emotions towards the nature, sentiments between people and people, as well as the love between couples.

As a commune strong in community-based tourism, in recent years, the cultural and mass art movement in Ngoc Chien commune of Muong La district has received due attention.

Eight works of seven artists from Son La province are being showcased at the 28th Northwest-Viet Bac Region III Fine Arts Exhibition, which opened in Cao Bang province on September 27.

The Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) Central Committee on September 21 coordinated with the Youth Union (HCYU)’ chapter in Son La province to inaugurate a cultural house of the La Ha ethnic group.

The Son La provincial Museum has just organised an educational activity to experience the Xoe dancing of the Thai people, and the art of decorating patterns on traditional costumes of the Mong people.

The traditional culture of each ethnic group is passed down through generations, with various forms of transmission, including oral and hands-on methods. In this process, families serve as nucleuses in preserving invaluable cultural heritage.

Ca kheo (stilt walking) is one of the unique folk games of the Thai ethnic group formed from the daily lives of local people since ancient times.

About 5 km from the centre of Son La city, Hum hamlet of Chieng Xom commune boasts green rice fields this season and traditional stilt houses of the Thai ethnic minority group with unique characteristics. These houses are being well preserved by local people.

With its special deliciousness, ‘tan’ sticky rice in Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district has become a 4-star OCOP (one commune one product) product of Son La province. In addition to white sticky rice and ‘khau hang’ (young sticky rice), ‘com’ (green rice flakes) is favoured and chosen as gifts by many people every time they come to Ngoc Chien during the ripe rice season.

Ngoc Chien commune of Muong La district held the opening ceremony of the New Rice Festival 2023 on September 2, attracting thousands of tourists and local residents.

The Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week 2023 was opened in the district on September 1 morning.

Over the past years, the Women’s Union in Mai Son district has encouraged its members to participate in economic development, the building of equal, progressive and happy families, and especially the preservation and promotion of cultural identities. 

Ethnic music, which includes musical instruments and instrumental music, was formed from the needs of people during the labour and production process, and passed down in the folk community, and have gradually developed over many generations. Along with folk songs and dances, ethnic music has become an indispensable part in the spiritual life of people of all ethnic groups, expressing their thoughts and feelings, instead of words, in a delicate, thoughtful, sincere and emotional way.

A symposium on preserving and promoting the tradition of civilized behavior in the family was held in Chieng Den commune, Son La city on August 29.

The People Committee of Quang Huy commune, Phu Yen district held the Xip xi festival, a traditional festival of white Thai ethnic group, at the Chu communal house in Chieng Ha hamlet on August 27.

A special art programme was held at Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi on August 25, as part of activities celebrating the 14 th Vietnam Music Day (September 3).

Bac Yen highland district in Son La province boasts more than 46% of its population being the Mong ethnic minorities. Many cultural beauties of local people are always preserved and promoted in daily life in association with community-based tourism development.

The Party Committee and administration of Phu Yen district, Son La province have exerted great efforts to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values of the Muong ethnic group, which accounts for 43% of the district’s population.