Tuyên Quang province - a land where is home to 22 ethnic groups that have coexisted for generations. Historically, the province included Chiêm Hóa District, once known as Đại Man, a region with a high concentration of ethnic minorities. Currently, with a population of approximately 900,000, ethnic minorities account for 56%. This shows the critical importance of preserving and promoting ethnic cultural identities—not only as a matter of cultural vitality but also as a key driver of economic and social development, defining the province's unique character.
Historical records highlight that the early inhabitants of Tuyên Quang were ethnic minorities. The statue of President Hồ Chí Minh with the people of Tuyên Quang at Nguyễn Tất Thành Square (Tuyên Quang City) features representatives of the province's three major ethnic groups: Tày – the largest ethnic minority group, whose culture is emblematic of the province; Dao – represented in Tuyên Quang by all 9 subgroups; Cao Lan – the third-largest ethnic minority in the province, with Tuyên Quang hosting the largest Cao Lan population nationwide.
In 1961, during a visit to Tuyên Quang, President Hồ Chí Minh taught: "Under colonial and feudal regimes, ethnic minorities in upland areas lived in great hardship. Today, they enjoy freedom and equality, free from oppression and exploitation. However, their material and cultural lives have not improved significantly, largely because local officials have not paid enough attention to their needs. On behalf of the Central Government, I urge officials at all levels, from the province to the commune, to make greater efforts to assist ethnic minorities in every way possible."
Heeding President Hồ Chí Minh's teachings, the Party Committee and people of Tuyên Quang have remained committed to preserving and promoting their ethnic cultural heritage. The province prioritizes sustainable economic development while safeguarding cultural identity and environmental integrity. Historical revolutionary sites, cultural landmarks, and scenic areas retain their pristine charm, such as Tân Trào (Sơn Dương) and Kim Bình (Chiêm Hóa), where visitors can still experience the romantic wilderness of these former resistance zones. With forest coverage exceeding 65% of its natural land area, Tuyên Quang ranks among the nation's leading provinces in forest conservation.
The province protects and restores 660 historical, cultural, and scenic sites, including 271 provincial-level sites, 182 national-level sites, 3 special national relics, and 1 national treasure. It has also developed ethnic cultural tourism villages, such as Tân Lập Village (Tày ethnic group, Tân Trào Commune, Sơn Dương District) and Khâu Tràng Village (Dao Tiền ethnic group, Hồng Thái Commune, Na Hang District). Other examples include Nà Tông Village (Tày ethnic group, Thượng Lâm Commune) and Khuổi Trang and Khuổi Củng Villages (Mông ethnic group, Xuân Lập Commune, Lâm Bình District).
A coming-of-age ritual of Dao people's in Na Hang district (photo by dulichnahang.com)
Currently, the province hosts 54 festivals, including 48 traditional and 6 cultural festivals. Many traditional festivals have been revived, such as the Lồng Tông and rice pounding festivals (Tày ethnic group), Fire Dance Festival (Pà Thẻn ethnic group), Đầm Mây Festival (Dao Quần Trắng ethnic group), and Giếng Tanh Village Festival (Cao Lan ethnic group).
Equality, transparency, and democracy among ethnic groups are prioritized to create a "beautiful multicolored garden." The province values the preservation of customs, traditions, languages, attire, architecture, and cuisine unique to each ethnic group. Seventeen intangible cultural heritage items have been nationally recognized, including "Then Practices" of the Tày, Nùng, and Thái ethnic groups, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
In recent years, the province has identified "ethnic cultural identity" as a vital natural resource for socioeconomic development, particularly tourism. Traditional architecture, such as stilt houses and yin-yang tiled roofs, is preserved and restored. Cultural practices such as Tày group’s Then singing, Páo Dung songs of the Dao group, Cao Lan group’s Sình Ca, and Mông group’s pan-pipe dances are nurtured. Ethnic cuisine, including sour pork, pickled fish, smoked meat, dried buffalo, Dzon (a kind of wild fern family) salad, banana flower salad, sour bamboo shoots, and bitter soup, has impressed many visitors.
Tuyên Quang now brags 2 People's Artisans, 11 Meritorious Artisans, and 11 Meritorious Performers, most of whom are ethnic minorities. These achievements reflect the Party, State, and local authorities' dedication to improving the material and spiritual lives of ethnic communities. They empower these groups to thrive economically while preserving their unique cultural essence. Through integration without assimilation, each ethnic group radiates its distinct beauty to the wider society.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
