Lai Chau, (VNA) - The Cong ethnic group inMuong Te district, the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau  boasts a diverse cultural life withtraditional values. Over the years, local people have made great efforts inpreserving the group’s cultural identity.

Among the six dancing artisansin Nam Khao commune, Muong Te district, Ly Thi Giong is considered a livingtreasure in helping preserve the traditional folk art of the Cong ethnic group.Everyday, she teaches local girls the group’s folk dances. Day after day,despite rain and sun, her class is full of sounds echoing from folk melodiesand dances.

According to Ly Van Hieu,Chairman of the Nam Khao communal People’s Committee, at present, thecommune has six art troupes for six villages, with each village having oneartisan.

He said the traditional culturalvalues of ethnic groups are precious heritage, contributing to a diverse butunited Vietnamese culture.

However, the widespreadpervasion of foreign cultures has posed challenges for local authorities inpreserving cultural values, he said.

“In the future, we hope that theState will pay more attention to providing assistance for classes and artisanswho can participate in preserving the traditional cultural values of ethnicgroups such as Sin La, Cong, Mang, La Hu,” said Tran Duc Hien, Vice Chairman ofthe Muong Te district People’s Committee. 

Upholding and promotingtraditional cultural values of ethnic minorities is urgent given increasingglobal integration. To that end, classes, art troupes passing down folk cultureto younger generations need to be multiplied so that culture is nurtured andcan maximise its internal strength, Hien said.-VNA