Preserving and promoting Tuyen Quang’s distinctive cultural values

Identifying culture as the spiritual foundation and an internal driving force for development, Tuyen Quang Province has in recent years issued and implemented a range of resolutions and action programs on building, preserving, and promoting cultural values. These policies have not only created a clear institutional framework but have also been translated into practical, community-based models, enabling heritage to “live” in everyday life and be passed down sustainably.

In practice, many cultural heritages in Tuyen Quang continue to be naturally preserved amid modern life. A vivid example is the Fire Jumping Festival of the Pa Then ethnic group, held at provincial level in My Bac Hamlet, Tan Trinh Commune. As night falls in the mountainous forest, the glow of fire, the rhythmic beats of drums and gongs, and the barefoot jumps of Pa Then men across blazing embers vividly recreate the festival’s deep spiritual and cultural meanings, expressing faith, the aspiration to master nature, and strong community bonds.

The cap sac (coming-of-age) ritual of the Tay people in Dong Yen Commune.

With its unique values, the Fire Jumping Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012 and has since been held annually. Beyond its role within the community, the festival has left a strong impression on visitors, contributing to the promotion of Tuyen Quang’s cultural image.

Heritage is not only present in festivals but also deeply embedded in daily life. In Bach Xa Commune, despite economic difficulties, the sounds of the tinh lute and the melodies of Then singing continue to resonate in community activities. Local Then singing and tinh lute clubs have become spaces for cultural transmission, intergenerational exchange, and the strengthening of ethnic identity.

Tuyen Quang boasts a diverse cultural landscape with 794 historical and cultural relics and scenic sites, including three special national relics. The province is also home to one UNESCO-listed Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and 17 national intangible cultural heritages, forming invaluable “soft assets” that enhance its appeal.

The two-layer palm-leaf conical hat of the Tay people in Xuan Giang Commune, recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Alongside these living practices is the consistent leadership and direction of provincial authorities in cultural development. Policies prioritizing the restoration of relics, support for artisans, the establishment of folk culture clubs, and the integration of heritage into schools and community activities have been implemented in a focused and coordinated manner.

As a result, many of Tuyen Quang’s cultural values have been effectively preserved and promoted, contributing to tourism growth, creating livelihoods, and improving spiritual life. In 2025, the province is estimated to welcome around 3.9 million visitors, surpassing targets, with cultural tourism continuing to serve as a key highlight.

Preserving and promoting cultural heritage is not only a responsibility to the past but also a strategic choice for the future. When heritage is safeguarded and promoted in the right direction, it becomes a solid spiritual foundation and a sustainable cultural resource, enabling Tuyen Quang to develop while maintaining its identity - modern yet deeply rooted in its origins, in line with the Party’s resolutions on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people in the new era.

Thien Thanh