Chom Muong - a place that preserves many traditional cultural values ​​of the Thai people in Nghe An

Chom Muong Village (Mau Duc Commune, DistrictCon Cuong) is located entirely in a narrow valley on the left bank of the Lam River. The village impresses many visitors with its spacious, square-planned village roads and alleys. The rural electricity system ensures safety, cultural facilities, entertainment, physical education and sports areas are complete. The simple stilt houses are close together, creating a warm, peaceful feeling...

Chom Muong currently has 202 households, with 896 people. 100% of the population is Thai ethnic group. The economic life of the people here depends on farming, forestry and animal husbandry.

Many elderly people in Chom Muong village recounted that in 1944, about 15-20 Thai families from Quy Hop district came here to settle down. "Good land attracts birds", those who came first returned to their hometowns and invited their brothers and relatives to come and settle down in the new land. In 1946-1947, the village was officially established. "Chom Muong" means Xoai village, which was named after the fact that right in the middle of the village there was a very large ancient mango tree. The households lived around this mango tree.

Then, over time, the people of Chom Muong village continued to grow and flourish; Thai people from other places also gathered here. Up to now, there have been 5 generations of Thai people living on this land. What is special about Chom Muong village is that although the ancient mango tree has withered; the village has undergone many changes... but the spirit of community solidarity and cultural identity in general and customs in particular are still preserved and passed down.

Mr. Ngan Van Hoi, 53 years old, Chief of Chom Muong village, said: At home, grandparents are always conscious of teaching their grandchildren about the cultural beauty, rituals, and taboos of their ethnic group. Grandmothers and mothers teach their daughters and granddaughters how to weave beautiful brocade dresses and scarves; or how to brew delicious jars of wine... Chom Muong still preserves all the good traditions passed down from generation to generation. Besides, backward customs such as superstition and prolonged funerals are gradually being eliminated from community life.

Also according to Mr. Hoi: In order to preserve the folk songs, folk dances, and ways of playing musical instruments of the Thai ethnic group, since 1996, the village has established the Thai Folk Song Club, and assigned the Elderly Association to take charge of implementing its activities. Up to now, after nearly 30 years, the club is still operating well, meeting regularly every month, and is an active nucleus of the cultural and artistic movement in Mau Duc commune. In 1999, Chom Muong achieved the title of provincial-level cultural village.

At this time, the values ​​of the Thai ethnic identity are still intact in Chom Muong village. The village still has about 100 stilt houses (one of the villages that preserves the most stilt houses in the district).Con Cuong). Under the roof of that stilt house, every day, the looms still work regularly to create brocade skirts and scarves; the women in 13 traditional wine-making groups (with 102 households and 244 workers participating) still make yeast and ferment wine to create jars of fragrant, delicious wine.

It is known that in 2022, the Chom Muong village of wine production was recognized as a traditional craft village by the People's Committee of Nghe An province. This is an opportunity for Chom Muong village to maintain and develop the traditional craft, create jobs, and increase income for the people. Currently, each day, Chom Muong village produces 50-60 jars of wine, with revenue reaching 25-30 million VND, and an average income of 16-17 million VND/person/year.

Cultural values ​​and the spirit of community solidarity are the fundamental and prerequisite factors for Chom Muong village to successfully implement the National Target Program on new rural construction by 2020 - Mr. Ngan Van Hoi affirmed. "Chom Muong is now continuing to do a good job of preserving national cultural identity; promoting economic development, diversifying occupations, avoiding dependence on seasonal and weather factors that greatly affect agricultural production; increasing income... focusing on building and perfecting advanced new rural criteria".

Mr. Vo Dinh Thanh - Chairman of Mau Duc Commune People's Committee said: In order for Chom Muong village to effectively implement hunger eradication and poverty reduction, in the coming time, the district and commune will focus on helping the village develop its wine products into OCOP products to contribute to enhancing the brand, expanding the market, and increasing income for the people. Based on favorable geographical advantages, beautiful natural scenery, and well-preserved cultural values, in the coming time, Con Cuong district and Mau Duc commune will calculate to develop Chom Muong into a community tourism village. When becoming a community tourism village, Chom Muong's precious values ​​will certainly be promoted, becoming a new driving force to help the village develop more and more./.