This was the scene at a cultural education event introducing the diverse ethnic heritage of Điện Biên province, organized by the provincial museum in collaboration with the school. The goal: to help students learn about ethnic cultural traditions through exciting, interactive activities.

“Which ethnic group makes up the largest population in Điện Biên?”, “What is another name for the Hmông traditional New Year?”, “Which of the following is a signature dish of the Thái ethnic group?”. Every time a question was asked, hands shot up all at once as students hoped to be picked for a chance at a prize. Between the quiz rounds, they took turns performing songs or sharing fun stories about their own cultures. Most of the students belong to ethnic minority groups, so the questions posed little challenge. Meanwhile, the humorous hosts kept the crowd laughing: “Here’s a question about Thái culture. If you’re Thái, raise your hand! Now, everyone except the Thái students, please answer!”. The courtyard erupted in laughter, and students enjoyed learning more about each other’s heritage.

After answering a question correctly, Lường Đăng Khôi from class 6A1 happily received a small gift. “There were hundreds of hands raised, lucky me for being chosen!”,  he smiled. “It was so much fun! I got a present and also learned new things about our cultural traditions.”

The program included a wide range of activities: a photo exhibition showcasing ethnic settlement, livelihoods, traditional festivals, and folk games; a Điện Biên cultural “check-in” area; folk games such as tug-of-war and capture-the-flag; and hands-on craft experiences.

For this event in Thanh Nưa, the museum invited two artisans - Thào Thị Di (Hmông) and Vì Thị Phong (Thái) - to guide students in Hmông traditional embroidery and Thái fabric weaving. A full-sized loom placed in the courtyard sparked great curiosity and excitement.

“I am Thái, and I’ve learned some basic patterns for embroidering the Piêu scarf from my grandmother and mother”, said Lò Hoàng Anh from class 9D3. “But I had never seen a loom up close or tried weaving before. No one in my village has a loom anymore. Getting to sit down and weave with my own hands today made me even more proud of my culture, and eager to learn more.”

Meanwhile, her classmate Mùa Thị Mai Xuân was fascinated by artisan Thào Thị Di’s embroidery. “Her motifs are so beautiful and colorful. Clothing made from these pieces must be stunning. I only know a few basic stitches, but I hope to learn more when I have time.”

With its vibrant lineup of activities, the weekend morning truly felt like a cultural festival for teachers and students alike. Principal Nguyễn Thị Thu Hằng praised the program: “These activities are not only enjoyable and engaging, but they also help students explore history and cultural knowledge in a vivid and meaningful way. This is a valuable opportunity to foster pride and a sense of responsibility in preserving traditional heritage among our more than 400 students, most of whom are from ethnic minority communities.”

Beyond Thanh Nưa Secondary School, the provincial museum is also bringing this traveling cultural program to Na Son Boarding High School for Ethnic Minorities (Na Son commune) and Phình Giàng Semi-boarding Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Phình Giàng commune). Depending on each school’s cultural context, activities are tailored, such as learning about traditional Hmông batik and wax-pattern fabric, or playing folk games like shuttlecock kicking, wooden spinning top games, and pa pao throwing.

This annual initiative reflects the museum’s ongoing effort to promote cultural heritage through education. “Alongside our core mission of collecting, preserving, and showcasing heritage, we place strong emphasis on cultural education through hands-on experiences, especially for students, whether at the museum or directly in schools,” said Lê Thị Lan Anh, Deputy Director of the Điện Biên provincial Museum.

These special lessons bring invaluable learning beyond textbooks, cultivating love, pride, and a commitment to safeguarding ethnic cultural identity. From today’s meaningful experiences, the seeds of tradition will continue to grow and flourish among the younger generation.