Lang Son Geopark converges colorful cultural forms, not only reflecting the interaction between humans and nature but also the economic, social, and cultural exchange between indigenous ethnic groups and communities in the coastal areas.
Then singing – Tinh lute ritual
Then singing – Tinh lute is a unique cultural art of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Lang Son. In which, Then singing is a unique form of cultural activity, a synthetic environment of rituals, beliefs, art forms such as decoration, music, dance, singing… Then is used in worship rituals to ward off bad luck, pray for good harvest, grant titles, cure diseases…
The Tinh lute – a musical instrument that creates the uniqueness and difference of Then melodies. Tinh lute is used to accompany Then singing on many important occasions of the village and commune and happy days, such as weddings, longevity celebrations, housewarmings, and praying for peace…
Through the ups and downs of history, the art form of Then singing – Tinh lute still occupies an important position in the spiritual and cultural life of the Tay and Nung people.
Mother Goddess Worship
Mother Goddess Worship is a type of Vietnamese folk belief that is integrated with three layers of worship: Goddess worship, Mother Goddess worship, and Tam Phu – Tu Phu worship.
In Lang Son, in parallel with worshiping Mother Goddesses at temples and pagodas, the Tay and Nung people also worship Mother Hoa (Me Bjoóc), this is a distinctive feature of Mother Goddess worship in Lang Son compared to other regions.
Na Nhem Festival
Held annually on the 15th day of the first lunar month, it is a unique cultural event in the Lang Son Geopark. The festival is a ritual and ceremony to worship Thanh Hoang, Duc Thanh Cao Son Quy Minh, King Mieu Tinh and King Cao Quyet associated with the story of fighting to protect the village.
The highlight of the Na Nhem Festival is the procession of the male genitalia (Tang Thinh) and the female genitalia (Mat Nguyet) with the meaning of wishing for fertility, “many children and grandchildren”, “a large door, a large house”.
Along with religious activities, the festival also has many unique performances such as practice battles and offering tributes, scholar – farmer – worker – merchant, fisherman – woodcutter – farmer – shepherd (choosing bride and son-in-law) and many folk games…
The festival demonstrates the martial spirit of the Vietnamese people, imbued with profound humanism.
Besides its unique cultural features, Lang Son Geopark is also known for its folk performances, games, customs and indigenous knowledge, such as Sli singing, Luon singing, Phong Slu games and lion – cat dances… expressed through traditional costumes of the Tay, Nung, Dao, Hoa ethnic groups… and the Dao people’s oriental medicine, and the Tay and Nung people’s cuisine.
