In response, the province has implemented various measures to preserve and promote ethnic languages and scripts, contributing to the protection of ethnic cultural identities.

The Thái ethnic group, the largest in Điện Biên, accounting for nearly 38% of the population, has its own spoken and written language. However, as modernization progresses, the Thái language and script are at risk of fading away.

To safeguard and develop ethnic scripts, the provincial People’s Committee launched a program in 2011 to teach Thái and Mông languages in primary and secondary schools. To date, 49,266 students have studied the Thái language, with an annual course completion rate of 98-99%.

Beyond formal education, Thái script classes have been organized to preserve the written language. A prime example is the ancient Thái script class in Noong Luống commune, Điện Biên district. Lò Văn Tuấn, a Thái ethnic resident of Liếng village, shared: “Wanting to explore my ethnic culture and script, I joined this class. After a period of study, I can now write in Thái. I plan to deepen my knowledge and pass it on to others interested in our culture and script.”

Similarly, in Huổi Só commune, Tủa Chùa district, the Dao script has been fading over time. Tẩn A Típ, a Dao ethnic artisan, is one of the few people proficient in the script. He explained that the Dao script is pictographic, making it difficult to read and write, often requiring one to two years of study for proficiency. Over the years, he has collected ancient books and manuscripts and dedicated time to teaching the Dao script. Since 2000, he has collaborated with the district’s Bureau of Culture and Information to conduct over 10 classes, benefiting hundreds of students.

According to the province’s cultural heritage survey, 24 intangible cultural heritage assets related to ethnic languages and scripts have been documented. As language and script play a crucial role in the identity and cultural transmission of each ethnic group, their preservation is vital. However, challenges persist.

Điện Biên is home to 18 ethnic minorities, some of which, such as Sán Chay, Kháng, Xinh Mun, Thổ, and Cống, have very small populations and live in scattered settlements or intermixed communities with Thái and Mông people. Over time, these ethnic groups have assimilated, losing their languages and scripts. Additionally, many younger generations prefer using the national language, leading to the gradual erosion of ethnic languages.

For instance, the Xinh Mun people, primarily residing in Chiềng Sơ commune, Điện Biên Đông district, have lost many of their traditional cultural traits, including language, script, attire, and customs, due to long-term integration with other ethnic groups. Lò Văn Pháng, an artisan from Chiềng Sơ, explained: “The Xinh Mun people once had their own language, belonging to the Mon-Khmer linguistic family, but over time, they adopted the Thái language for daily communication. We also never developed a unique script, instead using the Thái script for written documents.”

Similarly, the Phù Lá ethnic group, mainly residing in Tuần Giáo and Tủa Chùa districts, has seen its language and traditions fade significantly. Nowadays, even rituals such as weddings and funerals are no longer conducted in their original form, and traditional attire has been influenced by Mông and Thái cultures. With a population of only about 200 people, interethnic marriages have further accelerated the loss of their language and traditions. Many young Phù Lá people no longer learn their language or participate in traditional practices, while elders who still hold cultural knowledge are dwindling.

To protect and promote ethnic languages, Điện Biên needs stronger efforts from both local authorities and communities. Possible solutions include funding the documentation and translation of ancient ethnic scripts, supporting artisans in opening language classes, integrating ethnic languages into formal education, and conducting comprehensive language and script heritage surveys.

Preserving ethnic languages and scripts is not only a responsibility of ethnic communities but also a shared mission of society. By combining efforts from authorities, researchers, and local communities, these invaluable cultural heritages can be safeguarded and passed down, enriching Điện Biên’s diverse cultural landscape.