Forgetting the busy daily life, we went to this place tosee why many people leave noisy urban areas to come here at weekends orholidays to live in a peaceful environment close to the life of Muong people.Not at all dry as the image that the name “museum” often suggests, visitors tothe place will find themselves in a lively space close to the nature.
The 5ha Muong Culture Space Museum,established in 2007, is covered by the green of Wedelia chinensis plants. Theplant’s small yellow flowers, which are in blossom the whole year, especiallyin spring, line the small paths, creating a poetic scenery. The museum’s staffalso use these flowers to decorate reception desks and the lounge, givingvisitors a fresh and relax atmosphere.
Welcoming us were the museum’s staff and guides who lookedgraceful in Muong women’s traditional costumes, along with painter Vu Duc Hieuwho devoted his youth and assets to study and establish the Muong Culture SpaceMuseum. Hieu gave us the first impression of a man of few words with melancholyeyes. Though he is called Hieu “Muong”, Hieu is actually of the majority Kinhethnic group and born in Hanoi. In 2000, he graduated the Hanoi IndustryUniversity in the glass technology major. He has a strong attachment to HoaBinh as he grew up in the province and is engulfed by the unique Muong culture.
The Muong Culture Space Museum is divided into two areas:one for reproductions and the other for display. Currently, the museum ispreserving about 3,000 objects and many valuable books on Muong culture. Hieuspent 10 years collecting these exhibits.
The museum is built as a miniature of the Muong societywith four stilt houses corresponding to four different social strata. The firstplace to visit is the Lang house, demonstrating the life of the landlord class.After the Lang house is the Au house of the Lang’s servants, the Noc house ofthe commoners, and then the Noc Troi house of the lowest class in the Muongsociety.
The Muong Culture Space Museum attracts a lot of domesticand foreign visitors.
Visitors, especially those coming here for the first time,are sure to be impressed by such dishes as steamed forest vegetables, grilledfish, hot steamed glutinous rice and Muong wine. If you are lucky to come inthe right season, there are some unique specialties such as ant egg or beelarvae.
We will definitely come back to the museum to enjoy theenvironment and cuisine of the Muong people again. - VNA