Echoes of Muong

In the heart of Tan Son mountain ( Phu Tho province ), where the babbling of streams blends with the resounding sounds of gongs and drums, the simple folk songs of the Muong people have been sung for generations. These are not only the sounds of the village but also the soul of the culture, a "spiritual nourishment" deeply imbued with the beliefs and spirit of the people in this mountainous region.

In Kiet Son commune, Tan Son district, there is a woman who has dedicated almost her entire life to preserving and spreading those sounds – Ms. Ha Thi Tien, the head of the commune's Folk Arts Club. With her deep love and intense passion, she has become a silent but steadfast "keeper of the flame" for the Muong folk melodies that are gradually fading away with time.

According to Ms. Tien, the Muong ethnic group has many distinctive folk songs such as Vi songs, Rang songs, and lullabies... Among them, Vi and Rang are two popular genres with rich artistic value, reflecting the daily life, beliefs, and emotions of the Muong people. The origin of these Vi and Rang songs comes from the Muong people's songs about giving birth to the earth and water.

Ms. Ha Thi Tien and Ms. Ha Thi Thuy performed the act "Visiting Hung Temple" at the Hung Temple Festival 2025.

From those traditional folk songs, Mrs. Tien diligently composed nearly 50 adapted folk songs, incorporating content about her homeland, country, and the people of Tan Son, such as: "Homeland in Renewal," "Visiting Hung Temple," "A Picture of My Homeland," etc. One of her representative works is the song "Visiting Hung Temple," which she wrote with simple lyrics but imbued with pride and gratitude to her ancestors.

The journey to preserve cultural beauty is not easy. Because Muong folk songs are mainly transmitted orally, without clear written records, artists need to have a good memory and be flexible in composing or editing songs to suit each student.

Faced with the reality that young people are increasingly less interested in traditional values ​​due to the influence of social media and modern culture, Ms. Tien has always been concerned about how to preserve the Ví and Rang dances and songs from fading away. With all her heart and responsibility, she has researched, collected, and compiled ancient lyrics, while also teaching them to the younger generation and local people.

The fruit is also handcrafted by Ms. Ha Thi Tien for use in cultural performances.

Ms. Ha Thi Tien taught the Vi and Rang folk songs to the local people.

As an excellent student of artist Ha Thi Tien, Ms. Ha Thi Thuy (Kiet Son commune, Tan Son district) has now become one of the "fire keepers" of the art of singing Vi and singing Rang of the Muong ethnic group.

Ms. Ha Thi Thuy said: "Vi and Rang singing are considered the simple spiritual food of the Muong ethnic people, indispensable in daily life. I was taught Vi and Rang singing by Mrs. Tien 20 years ago."

Ms. Thuy also said that to sing a Vi or Rang song well, the singer not only needs technique but also must have emotion and understand Muong culture. With Rang than songs, each sentence, each word is poignant and full of love. Such songs cannot be memorized, but must be absorbed and lived with.

For many years, Ms. Thuy and Ms. Tien have actively participated in teaching folk song classes organized by the commune, and regularly performed at festivals and cultural events at the district and provincial levels. Furthermore, Ms. Thuy has collected and transcribed the lyrics of ancient songs passed down by elderly villagers, making a valuable contribution to the local folklore archive.

“I hope that today’s youth will love and be proud of their national singing, like Mrs. Tien and I were raised with Vi and Rang songs in the past,” Ms. Thuy shared, her eyes sparkling with faith.

In the current context, where many forms of traditional culture are at risk of disappearing, the efforts of Ms. Ha Thi Tien and Ms. Ha Thi Thuy to preserve them become even more valuable. With their deep love for their homeland, their dedication, and their sense of responsibility, these two women have not only preserved traditional melodies but also spread the love of Muong culture to many generations.

The people of Kiet Son still affectionately call Mrs. Tien and Mrs. Thuy: "The guardians of the Ví and Rang folk songs of the Muong village." It is people like Mrs. Tien – quietly but persistently – who have been and are still kindling hope for the journey of preserving the ethnic cultural heritage, so that the Ví and Rang folk songs can weave through the mountain slopes, through the stilt houses, through the hearts of those who love Muong culture, forever echoing in the vast forests of Tan Son.

"My homeland has nine mountains and ten hills."

The great culture of the cradle of the Viet and Muong people.

When you're far away, you miss your homeland.

I remember the small stream, the path under the banyan tree.

Remembering an epic poem

The Muong village opens its festival with the resounding sound of gongs.

The sound of pestles pounding rice echoed.

The Muong people perform new dances with drums and gongs, accompanied by music..."

Bao Nhu

Source: https://baophutho.vn/am-vang-ban-muong-231061.htm