The values of traditional festivals in Quang Ninh: The approach from the perspective of community cohesion and historical education

Abstract

Quang Ninh is a multilayered cultural landscape in Northeastern Vietnam which has nearly one hundred distinctive traditional festivals. In the context of contemporary social change, these festivals face increasing pressures to reconcile heritage preservation with socio-economic development. This article focuses on an in-depth analysis of two core value systems of traditional festivals in Quang Ninh: the value of community cohesion and the value of historical education, which are regarded as the “cultural DNA” underpinning the enduring vitality of this heritage. Using qualitative methods, including document analysis, data synthesis, and case studies of festivals recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the research demonstrates that these values are not static. Instead, they are continually reconstituted through ritual practices, serving as effective social mechanisms for reinforcing cultural identity, strengthening communal solidarity, and transmitting historical memory across generations. The article proposes strategic recommendations to ensure the sustainable safeguarding and development of festival values in the contemporary context.