In recent days, social networks have been controversial about videos recording images of girls wearing ethnic minority costumes dancing to vibrant music and TikTok music in the Stone Church area and Sa Pa Square (Lao Cai). Besides the tourists who enjoy dancing with the children and then give them money, many people expressed their dissatisfaction and said they were offensive.
Talking to Lao Dong, Mr. Phan Dang Toan - Secretary of Sa Pa Town Party Committee shared: "The fact that children wear traditional costumes and dance to modern music in some central areas of Sa Pa received a lot of attention. The town's leaders also met to discuss this issue to find a solution. However, through extended opinions, including experts, many people think that if there were no such evening art performances in Sa Pa, tourists would feel lacking in excitement".
The leaders of Sa Pa town have assigned the Center for Culture, Sports - Communications to have a plan to manage and issue certificates of street performing activities so that the children are not taken advantage of, taken advantage of, or create income for their families, Mr. Phan Dang Toan added.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Director of the Center for Culture, Sports - Communications of Sa Pa town, said that in the past, there was a situation where smugglers took young children to beg for money from tourists, which was very offensive, and the authorities took action very drastically to prevent it.
"Now the children don't stick around or ask for money anymore but dance artistically and get the response of customers, giving them money is not a bad thing. We only consider the option of how to avoid taking advantage of this activity and the dancing must be in the right direction such as playing Vietnamese music, wearing traditional costumes, and strictly following traditional customs.
To perform, the children's parents must go with them or a club organizes the performance (commune youth union members). In the long term, teaching children to love indigenous culture, later becoming tour guides to generate income for themselves and develop traditional culture. This is a new point, if done well, it can create a unique impression of Sa Pa on tourists, said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, hoping that the public would not be too strict about this story.
Previously, the local government had mobilized about 100 women, children and elderly ethnic minorities to Cat Cat village to participate in the national cultural and artistic performance. At other tourist villages, children also participate in appropriate performing activities. This method helps limit street vendors, illegal performances for money, and at the same time helps children earn more income.
In the coming time, Sa Pa will support children to participate in a number of art performances, recreating the cultural life of ethnic groups at the cultural park in the square. Experiential activities, both preserving cultural identity and having a reasonable source of income...
