Insight gained on culture, traditions of ethnic groups

A special exhibition featuring the cultures of 54 ethnic groups in Viet Nam started yesterday, May 9, at the Viet Nam Culture and Arts Exhibition Centre, Ha Noi.
The exhibition opened with musical performances by artists dressed in traditional clothing and divided into six regions.
The exhibition is being held with the aim of highlighting the significant contribution that ethnic people have made to the development of the country and their own development in the fields of economy, culture and education. It is hoped the exhibition will also widen cultural exchange and tighten the solidarity of the groups.
The exhibition is divided into the two main areas of ethnic communities in Viet Nam and the work of ministries and departments for those communities.
The first subject is covered by traditional costumes, musical instruments, handicrafts and objects that show the day to day lives of the people.
Lively scenes such as a Dao wedding, a dumpling shop in Hoa, elephant hunting with the M’nong and the festival of the Cham have also been created using mannequins.
"The exhibition brings concrete images of the life and culture of 54 ethnic groups from across the whole country that helps people become closer and gain a greater mutual understanding," said one visitor.
"I’m one of many Kinh people living in Ha Noi, I don’t have the chance to travel around the country and meet people from other groups so this exhibition helps me to understand them more," he said.
The exhibition is dedicated to displaying books, newspapers, magazines and cultural publications to serve ethnic people and introduce the achievements in social and economic development of the ethnic minorities of Viet Nam in the integration process.
"Over an area of 1,800sq.m, the exhibition introduces specific characteristics of ethnic cultures," said Huynh Vinh Ai, vice minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
"Through photos, documentaries, objects and models, the exhibition is a vivid representation of the groups, their achievements in economic development and their devotion to developing and protecting the country," he remarked.
The exhibition has been organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ahead of the first national ethnic minority congress that takes place in Ha Noi on May 12 with the participation of about 1,700 representatives.
The exhibition will run until May 14 at the Viet Nam Culture and Arts Exhibition, Ha Noi.