A Luoi district, atop the Truong Son mountain range in Thua Thien Hue province, is home to the Pa Co, Ta Oi, and Co Tu ethnic minorities. Its traditional culture village preserves and promotes the cultures of these groups.
An airial view of the traditional culture village of ethnic minorities in A Luoi district
The village, which stands on five hectares in the Sim (Rose myrtle) Conservation Area, is comprised of a communal house and three houses in the ethnic style.
Le Quang Vinh, Chairman of the Hong Thuong commune People's Committee, said the village has met the expectations of the local people in preserving their cultures. “The A Luoi culture village is a great honor for Hong Thuong commune. We have worked closely with the administration to promote the traditional cultures of the local ethnic minorities and develop tourism,” said Vinh.
Many cultural festivals have been held in the village recreating the daily life of the local ethnic groups. Nguyen Le Thuy Tien, a Pa Co resident, was excited to meet and talk with people from other ethnic groups, adding that she always wears the traditional costume.
“Wherever I go, I can talk about my group and feel proud of it. I want to share it with everyone. I’ve made friends with many people from other ethnic groups - Co Tu, Ta Oi, and Pa Hy - at the village. They all were eager to introduce their group’s beautiful culture,” Tien noted.
The village displays handicraft products, demonstrates traditional craft-making skills, and organizes folk games and other activities.
Le Thi Them, head of A Luoi district’s Culture and Information Section, said the local artisans and ethnic people are the subjects of and beneficiaries of the activities. “The folk activities are based on the traditions of the ethnic groups. Local artisans practice activities associated with the traditional festivals and other cultural features of their group,” according to Them.
Construction of the village was paid for by the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction and the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period. The first phase of the project built a road leading to the village as well as auxiliary works and infrastructure to attract tourists.
Nguyen Van Hai, Deputy Chairman of the A Luoi People's Committee, said, “Traditional cultural products of the local ethnic minorities will be exhibited at the common house. The village will be a place to educate the younger generation and organize major events of the district and ethnic groups. That will boost the local economy.”
In the next phase, the village will be expanded to cover 30 hectares with a central square, a craft village, a wharf, a museum of ethnology, a cemetery, and rice fields. The village will recreate the daily activities that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has listed as national tangible and intangible cultural heritages in need of preservation and development.
Vinh Thong - Le Hieu
