Cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is a spiritual and material product that holds historical, cultural, and scientific significance, passed down from one generation to the next. It is a precious asset that helps educate traditions, shape national identity, foster economic and social development, and strengthen community ties.

In the communes of Quang Binh, Ban May and Xin Man, the Phu La ethnic community, though numbering only just over 600 people, continues to quietly preserve and pass down its unique cultural traditions.

Then singing of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam was inscribed by UNESCO in 2019 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Tuyen Quang, Then singing and the Tinh lute are long-standing cultural practices. Since being recognized by UNESCO, these traditions have spread even more widely.

On the Dong Van Karst Plateau, the “backward markets” (cho lui) have long been a distinctive cultural feature, deeply reflecting the identity of Vietnam’s northern highlands. They are called “backward” because each market takes place once a week, but on a different day, moving one day earlier than the previous week. In this way, the rhythm of the market flows naturally with the lives of the local people, connecting winding limestone mountain roads and linking communities across the rugged landscape.

Hamlet 20 (Tan Long commune) is home to 170 households, including 41 of the Dao Thanh Y ethnic group - accounting for nearly 25% of the population. The Dao people here live in harmony, united in their efforts to preserve their native language, traditional costumes, and cultural customs.

Amidst the majestic stone plateau at the northernmost tip of the country, the folk songs of the Lo Lo people continue to echo through time: simple, sincere, and profoundly moving. These melodies embody a cultural heritage shaped by the daily life, labor, and spirit of the Lo Lo ethnic community in the mountains of Tuyen Quang.

Amidst the misty stone plateau, the sounds of the ‘khen’ (bamboo pipe), flute, and ‘dan moi’ (mouth harp) echo across the cat-ear-shaped cliffs. Their music drifts through rocky slopes, blending into the rhythm of daily life - both an art form and a heartbeat of the mountains.

More than just a specialty of Vietnam’s northernmost region, mint honey from the Dong Van Karst Plateau is a crystallization of majestic nature and the diligent labor of local ethnic communities. Bearing a geographical indication, this product is not merely the “sweet nectar” of the mountains but also a distinctive cultural and economic symbol. Therefore, trade promotion activities are essential to honor beekeepers and the traditional craft of making mint honey.

In Tuyen Quang, artisans and members of cultural preservation clubs have become the dedicated “torchbearers” who quietly keep the cultural flame alive, passing down traditions and integrating ethnic values into modern life. Their work contributes to making Tuyen Quang an attractive cultural tourism destination.

In Bac Trien village, Kien Thiet commune, it is easy to spot H’mong women in their traditional attire, skillfully moving their needles and colorful threads to create vibrant bibs, belts, and leg wraps. Despite the many changes of modern life, local women continue to preserve the age-old embroidery craft - a symbol of the H’mong women’s skill, diligence, and cultural pride.

On the faces of the elderly in Tuyen Quang, time does not pass – it gently settles. Each wrinkle tells a story of life: joyful seasons by the fireside, sleepless nights with the fields, and simple everyday happiness. Together, they form a picture of kindness and warmth, a familiar beauty born of souls who have devoted their lives to the mountain areas.

On the Dong Van Karst Plateau, amidst layers of rugged mountains, the gate of a H’mong household is not merely an entrance but also holds sacred meaning - a symbol of strength, prosperity, and a way of life closely tied to nature.

In residential group 7, Binh Thuan ward, it is easy to see women dressed in the traditional costumes of the Cao Lan ethnic group, enjoy chim gau cakes, colorful sticky rice, or listen to Sinh ca folk songs during festivals and holidays. Through simple yet meaningful activities, local people are preserving and promoting the unique cultural identity of the Cao Lan people in their daily lives.

On September 28, a culture and tourism exchange took place in Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China), with the participation of delegations from Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Hai Phong (Vietnam) and Guangxi (China). The Tuyen Quang delegation was led by Mr. Le Thanh Son, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.