Preserving and promoting ethnic cultural identity in Song Luy Commune

A highlight of cultural identity

With a population of more than 21,000, over 30% of whom are ethnic minorities, Song Luy has favourable conditions to preserve and promote traditional cultural values alongside development. In recent years, the locality has focused on building grassroots cultural life, promoting arts, sports and recreational activities, and gradually improving people’s spiritual well-being.

Emphasising the role of culture in development, Khue Khuc Ky Nguyen, Chairman of the Song Luy Commune People’s Committee, said ethnic diversity has helped create a vibrant cultural life and remains a key spiritual foundation for the commune’s development in the years ahead. He added that preserving and promoting cultural identity is a long-term priority.

One notable highlight is the preservation and promotion of the New Rice Festival of the K’ho and Raglai ethnic groups. In the early days of 2026, the festival was held solemnly, reflecting deep spiritual and traditional values. The New Rice Festival has long been an important ritual in the lives of local people, expressing gratitude to the rice deity and ancestors, while praying for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous life.

From early morning, residents of Tien Thanh and Tien Dat hamlets carefully prepared both the ceremonial and festive activities. Ritual offerings were conducted solemnly, reflecting a deep belief in the harmony between humans and nature. Following the ceremonies, the festival atmosphere became lively with traditional games such as tug of war, stilt walking, crossbow shooting, and cooking rice in bamboo tubes.

Beyond its spiritual significance, the festival also serves as a community celebration that connects generations within villages. It helps younger generations better understand, take pride in, and preserve their cultural identity.

Linking cultural preservation with sustainable development

Alongside these efforts, cultural preservation and promotion in Song Luy have been implemented in a coordinated manner, closely linked with grassroots emulation movements. The implementation of central resolutions on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people has been integrated with the campaign “All People Unite to Build New Rural Areas and Civilised Urban Areas,” creating widespread impact within the community.

The system of communal and village cultural houses has been invested in and basically equipped to meet community needs. Grassroots art teams are maintained regularly, contributing to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups such as Tay, Nung, Hoa, K’ho and Raglai.

The movement to build “cultural families” and “cultural villages” has increasingly deepened, becoming a solid foundation for a new cultural life. In the coming time, Song Luy Commune will continue mobilising resources to invest in cultural institutions, promote cultural, artistic and sports activities, while preserving fine customs and traditions and enhancing the community’s role in safeguarding ethnic cultural identity.

It can be affirmed that preserving and promoting ethnic cultural identity in Song Luy Commune not only enriches the spiritual life of the people but also creates an important driving force for socio-economic development. This forms a sustainable foundation for building a prosperous, civilised and culturally rich Song Luy, both now and in the future.

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Through festivals and traditional cultural activities, young people not only gain practical experiences but also become more aware of their responsibility to preserve and promote ethnic cultural identity. This is also how the younger generation connects with its roots and spreads cultural values to the community.

Nguyen Manh Tuong Huy, Secretary of the Song Luy Youth Union