Muong Khuong is a border mountainous dístrict in the border of Lao Cai: the North and West border with Ma Quan and Ha Khau district of Van Nam province (China) with the length of more 85km, has main border gate named Muong Khuong which belongs to Sin Ten commune, traditional walking named Lo Co Chin (Vietnam) – Lao Kha (China) belonging to Pha Long commune, which have important location on national defence and security
Average height of the district in comparison with sea water level is 950 m. the highest mountain peak on Muong Khuong terrain is up to 1,609m. Whole district has width of 556.15km2. Muong Khuong has total area of 566km2. Population is 55,61 thousand people, the density is 100 people/km2, includes 16 differrent enthic groups. Mong people is major ones in the district (hold 41.7% of district’s population)
The district has 01 Muong Khuong town (district capital), and 15 commune. District capital is Muong Khuong town locating in the highway 4D, is about 50 km far from Lao Cai citys towards the Northeast and about 5km far from Vietnam – China border line.
Muong Khuong economy mainly concentrates on agriculture and forestry. Agricultural and forestry’s products are plum. Pear, medicinal trees, cardamom, soybeans
Muong Khuong is new Vietnamese name since French domination. In actually, local people call it as Mung Khangw (means Muong Gang) according the historical legend that said “formerly, one geopgraphical specialist brought one horse gall bladder with him to choose land for building home and business development. Coming to here, he suddenly saw that in the underground, there was immense sea water, there were iron poles in the center and four cross poles supporting four angles to make this land be stand solidly. Then, it was named as Mung Khangw until now”
From the nineteen century, Muong Khuong had market days in mountainous region (Muong Khuong, Cao Son, Pha Long, Ban Lau) to exchange commodities, in which Chau market (Lung Vai) became the famous trading center in the East of Thuy Vi ward.
Muong Khuong is reawarded the nature and society for fantasic attractions and plentiful traditional culture from enthich groups remaining until now. They are Ham Rong cave locating in Tung Chuong Pho commune, about 1,5km far from the town; immense Tung Lai and Na Bu rice fields which is one of the biggest rice granaries in the district; Ham Rong cave is a complex including 4 different caves in which there are two main caves connected with each other in nearly 750m of the length; Lung Pau cave (with Tung Chung Pho commune) staying deeply in the bed of imposing clime stone mountains.
Here in 1959, Pha Long copper drum was discovered (belonging to Hego I) which was very famous and had date about 4000 year ago, Nam Ooc cave (Nam Lu commune) with many majestic stalactiles and buddla statues. There are interesting fold festivals of Nung people in almost villages here; Su ma Tung cave or called as Muoi Ngua cave (Ta Ngai Cho) which is gathering point for famous Chau Quang Lo bandits. They were henchmen of French colonialists who destroyed by local military and particular army to liberate Nha Long area in 1952
Cao Son cave area with towering mountain chains are not only evidences for “leave enemy’s mortal remainings in the battlefields in the defence agaist the North feudal from the legend of “Han destroying gorge” recorded deeply in people’s memory but also revolutionary base area against French enemy, robbers in Muong Khuong, it has been national defence and security area to protect national border in the socialism development and until now.
Muong Khuong has folk festivals such as: forest spraying festival of Nung people which not only sprays to village, season, natural God as well as ancestors for healthy and prosperous life but also contributes to protect ecological environment and maintain custom value of local people in this mountainous area.
Tel festival on lunar 23th June of Pa Di people with colorful steamed glutious rice to remember the ancestor who supported for them in winning aggressors and having healthy and happy life liking the roof to protect from rain and sunlight, then it became hatting symbol of Pa Di female; Festival on 1st July with steamed glutinous rice in seven colors to pray to the God in order to remember about the merit of the God, nature and ancestors who supported for Nung people in winning aggressors and protecting race, expressing moral phisophy “drink water remember origin” – one valuable tradition of Vietnamese, Sai San festival (called as mountain climbing festival) of Hmong enthic group (Pha Long) is one to pray to God for happiness and health as well love to couples. In these festivals, many folk playing games, dance and sing love songs are organized plentifully.