Preserving ethnic cultural identity in the digital age

Amid deepening international integration and the rapid growth of multimedia communications, the traditional cultural values of Tuyen Quang are gaining new opportunities to reach wider audiences, contributing to the promotion of the province’s image and the development of sustainable tourism. However, these opportunities also highlight the urgent need to preserve and promote ethnic cultural identities in modern society.

Tuyen Quang is home to a large population of ethnic minority communities, including several small ethnic groups such as the Pu Peo, Co Lao and Pa Then. The province possesses a rich and distinctive cultural heritage shaped over generations, reflected in traditional festivals such as Gau Tao, Fire Dancing and Long Tong, as well as tangible and intangible cultural assets including traditional architecture, costumes, cuisine, folk songs, folk dances and indigenous farming knowledge.

However, some festivals have increasingly incorporated modern entertainment activities such as blindfolded duck-catching games, sack races, air volleyball and pickleball to attract participants. While these activities help create a lively atmosphere, they may diminish the prominence of traditional cultural elements if not carefully balanced.

Meanwhile, many traditional art forms and folk games rich in cultural identity, including hat ong singing, sinh tien stick dancing, folk singing competitions, khene dancing, pole-climbing contests, stick pushing, stilt walking, crossbow shooting and si dong flute playing, have become less visible at community festivals. These cultural practices embody indigenous knowledge, community spirit and ethnic identity passed down through generations and therefore deserve greater attention and preservation.

Experts emphasize that festival organizers should clearly define the objectives and cultural characteristics of each event to ensure a balanced integration of traditional and modern elements. In the context of the rapidly expanding digital space, strengthening media literacy and critical information awareness, particularly among young people and content creators, is considered an important solution for preserving and promoting traditional cultural values in a sustainable manner.

Vien Su