The ancient books of the Thai and Dao ethnic groups in Son La province are a treasure trove of knowledge, reflecting the culture, history, and development of the local people. They form a cultural heritage that needs to be preserved, protected, and promoted.

Thuan Chau district’s Nong Lay commune is home to 170 households of the Kho Mu ethnic group, primarily in Phieng Nong and Bo Ma hamlets. The ethnic community is working hard to preserve and promote their distinct customs and cultural traditions.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on October 21 opened a training course on folk culture for members of folk singing and dancing clubs in Chieng Pan commune, Yen Chau district, aiming to preserve and promote the unique cultural values of the Thai ethnic community there.

As part of activities to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of Bac Yen district and its Party Organization (1964-2024), ‘top’ panpipe dances of the Mong ethnic group were performed by artisans and residents in Son La and Yen Bai provinces on October 18, at the district stadium.

The firefighting and rescue police unit of Moc Chau on October 7 coordinated with the Moc Ly Primary School in the district to in disseminating firefighting and rescue skills for more than 900 staff members, teachers and students of the school.

The Pung Hieng (End of the Year) Festival of the Dao Tien ethnic people was re-enacted in Phieng Luong commune, Moc Chau district on October 4.

The provincial People’s Committee has issued a document regarding the organisation of activities in response to Vietnam Labour Skills Day on October 4.

The Save the Children International (SCI) in Vietnam, in collaboration with the Standing Office of the provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Rescue, on October 3 provided cash aid for households affected by floods in 2024 in Tong Lanh and Tong Co communes, Thuan Chau district.

Son La is home to 12 ethnic groups, each with its own culture. As part of the efforts to preserve and promote the cultural values of the ethnic groups, the province has focused on cultural heritage inventory and reality assessment, while sketching out solutions to better the conservation work.

The “Khau ho” Festival 2024 opened in Muong Va commune, Sop Cop district on September 17. This year, due to the impacts of Typhoon Yagi and subsequent floods and landslides, only the ceremonial part was held.

Apart from the stunning landscape, visitors to the Moc Chau National Tourist Area can experience the unique local culture when putting on traditional ethnic costumes, participating in activities and folk games such as the Xoe and Khen (a traditional musical instrument) dances, pounding banh day (ground glutinous rice cake), nem con (colourful fabric ball throwing), and bamboo pole dance, and enjoying ethnic dishes there.

The Son La provincial Museum organised a performance and experience programme of “Xoe Thai”, a unique folk dance of the Thai ethnic minority group, on September 1.

The People's Committee of Son La city organised a training workshop on tourism skills in Chieng Co commune from August 26-30 for 42 representatives from families involved in community-based tourism services and officials in the locality.

A competition featuring performances of folk arts of highland ethnic groups in Thuan Chau district kicked off on August 31 in Co Ma commune.

As part of the 2024 Culture and Tourism Week, Moc Chau district held a display of intangible cultural heritages on August 31, with the theme “Preserving Heritage - Essence of Identity.”

Son La city on August 21 held a conference to honour ethnic cultural clubs and review their performance.

An exhibition featuring beautiful photos of Quynh Nhai tourism took place at the district's Cultural and Communication Center on August 17.

Quynh Nhai district held a competition to arrange a traditional food tray for Xip xi, the New Year (Tet) festival of the White Thai people, and a cultural space in celebration of the festival on August 17.

The People's Committee of Quynh Nhai district on August 17 morning held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising the ritual part of “Xip xi”, the New Year (Tet) Festival of the White Thai people in Quynh Nhai, as national intangible cultural heritage.

Various cultural activities and folk games took place at the historical site of Chu communal house in Quang Huy commune, Phu Yen district on August 16, within the framework of this year’s “Tet xip xi” (Xip xi Festival), drawing a large number of people and tourists.