Muong ethnic cultural parade draws Hanoians, visitors

The second Muong Ethnic Culture Day, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, aims to honour and promote the traditional cultural values of the Muong ethnic community to domestic and international visitors (Photo: Minh VietnamPlus)

Under the theme “Preserving and promoting Muong cultural identity in the new era”, the Muong Ethnic Culture Day 2025 runs from November 21 to 23 at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. The parade at Hoan Kiem Lake forms part of the programme (Photo: VietnamPlus)

According to the organising board, the parade lasts around one hour with the participation of 250 Muong ethnic performers from Hanoi, and Thanh Hoa, Phu Tho, Son La and Lao Cai provinces (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Thanh Dung, a 15-year-old participant from Hanoi, excitedly says: “I started learning gong playing in lower secondary school, and this is my first time performing in the city centre. I hope to introduce the unique culture of the Muong people to audiences nationwide” (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The parade showcases the beauty of Muong culture through traditional costumes, resounding gong rhythms and captivating dances (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The procession moves around Hoan Kiem Lake along Hai Ba Trung – Trang Tien – Dinh Tien Hoang – Hang Dau streets (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Muong artisans from Thanh Hoa perform gong rhythms that recreate parts of the traditional Pon Pong festival (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Pon Pong is an indispensable art form of the Muong people. “Pon” means singing and dancing, while “Pong” refers to flowers. Combined, the term describes a performance involving both singing and dancing around a symbolic flower tree to pray for prosperity, good harvests and happiness (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Thousands of Hanoians stop along the streets to watch the impressive cultural performances (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The festival gathers artisans, performers and athletes from localities with large Muong communities, including Hanoi, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Son La and Thanh Hoa (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The second Muong Ethnic Culture Day contributes to honouring, preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the Muong people within Vietnam’s diverse cultural community of 54 ethnic groups (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The event also provides a platform for localities to exchange experiences and strengthen awareness of safeguarding ethnic cultural identity, contributing to national construction and defence (Photo: VietnamPlus)

It further helps introduce the tourism, cultural and sports potential of Muong ethnic minority-inhabited localities to domestic and international partners, supporting cultural promotion amid national renewal, integration and development (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The festival offers an opportunity for Party and State leaders, as well as ministries and agencies, to present gifts to Muong representatives in recognition of their efforts in preserving and promoting cultural heritage, highlighting the State’s great attention to ethnic communities and boosting solidarity and cultural diversity (Photo: VietnamPlus)

A large number of foreign tourists join the celebrations and enjoy the vibrant dances (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The event reaffirms culture as an effective channel for external relations, enhancing international cooperation in culture and tourism, expanding cultural exchanges and enriching Vietnam’s cultural identity (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The programme also features various cultural, sports and tourism activities such as mass art performances, traditional costume shows, gong performances, Muong weaving demonstrations, cultural ritual presentations, folk belief showcases and a scientific workshops (Photo: VietnamPlus)