In the characteristic space of the stilt house, Mrs. Lo Thi Tom welcomes guests with a very calm and rustic demeanor. Few people know that this woman who is diligently working on cultural preservation activities has been standing on the podium for many years. After leaving the blackboard and chalk, instead of choosing a peaceful life in her hometown of Son La, Mrs. Tom made a special journey - to the Village of Culture - Tourism of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups (Hanoi), (hereinafter referred to as the Cultural Village).
Recalling the early days, Ms. Tom shared: "At first, hearing about mobilizing to go to the Cultural Village, I was also very vague, not yet imagining what I would do here. After coming to "inspect", I understood the dedication in recreating and preserving national identity. When I got used to traveling, I mobilized my people to live in the Thai ethnic village in the Cultural Village.
For Ms. Tom, culture is not artifacts lying still in glass cabinets or stereotypical performances. Culture must be present in daily life. That view has motivated her and artisans to fully restore the living space of the Thai people, from Xoe dances, songs to the characteristic culinary flavors.
She is the pioneer in bringing Thai ethnic cuisine to serve tourists. Dishes imbued with the flavor of the mountains and forests are a way for people to improve their income, and also the most direct way to promote culture.
Seeing that our ethnic cuisine is welcomed by tourists, we are very proud. That is how culture spreads itself without needing any flowery words. I also brought 54 plum trees symbolizing 54 brotherly ethnic groups and nearly 100 banana trees from my hometown of Son La here to plant, as if bringing the scent of the mountains to the capital" - Ms. Tom said.
Taking his family to visit the Cultural Village, Mr. Nguyen Van Tien (Hanoi) highly appreciated the experiential activities in the Thai ethnic village.
When I came here, I partly experienced the space, culture and cuisine of the Thai ethnic people. I will definitely take my family back to visit this place" - Mr. Tien said.
Nearly a decade of attachment, Ms. Tom not only plays the role of leading the Thai community but also takes on the responsibility of Deputy Head of the Community Solidarity Committee at the Cultural Village. In a space where many ethnic groups converge, maintaining cohesion is very important.
The Solidarity Committee has the responsibility to connect ethnic villages with each other. From visiting when members are sick or give birth to reminding each other to maintain hygiene, living hours, and ensure security and order. Those small actions are the glue that connects and turns the brotherly ethnic groups into a large family" - Ms. Tom smiled - her bright eyes looking towards the plum trees that are blooming.
In a place hundreds of kilometers away from their homeland, the "fire" of Thai culture is still burning persistently, thanks to women who are full of enthusiasm and deeply concerned about their roots.
