As a mountainous province, Điện Biên benefits from state investment policies in education, allowing many ethnic minority high school students to study in boarding schools. Living and studying in a collective environment has created opportunities for cultural exchange among ethnic groups while also posing challenges in maintaining traditions.

According to Principal Nguyễn Văn Huynh of Tuần Chùa Ethnic Boarding High School, with over 400 students from six ethnic groups enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year, the school not only focuses on academic learning but also actively encourages students to maintain their traditional culture. From the start of the school year, teachers have revitalized and expanded student clubs, offering spaces where students can share experiences, develop skills, and take pride in their cultural heritage.

Just one week after the opening ceremony, seven clubs were already active, including embroidery, traditional music, singing, and dancing. Each club is guided by teachers and designed to highlight cultural uniqueness. On Saturday afternoons, the school’s multi-purpose hall comes alive with the sounds of flutes and khèn (reed pipes) from the traditional music club, while nearby, embroidery club members concentrate on stitching colorful brocade patterns.

Giàng A Pềnh, a 10th grader, shared: “I’ve loved the khèn since I was 12. Back in middle school, I often practiced at home with guidance from elders. Now that I live far away in the boarding school, joining this club gives me the chance to continue learning, share my passion with friends, and feel less homesick.”

For girls, embroidery holds special cultural meaning. Giàng Thị Bảo Thi, an 11th grader and member of the embroidery club, explained: “Among the Mông people, girls are expected to know how to sew and embroider to make clothes for themselves and their families. It shows skill and diligence. In our club of 20 members, we bring our own fabric, needles, and thread from home, working together and learning from each other. By the end of each semester, we usually finish a full traditional outfit with authentic patterns and designs.”

Through such clubs, students not only deepen their knowledge of their own traditions but also gain appreciation for the cultures of other ethnic groups. These activities nurture pride in identity and provide lasting cultural values that students carry with them into the future.

By integrating cultural preservation with academic education, Điện Biên schools are shaping a more holistic learning environment. This approach strengthens students’ awareness and responsibility while cultivating respect and love for their cultural heritage.