Ms. My "Then" in Xuan Van

At nearly 70 years old, Mrs. Ha Thi My, from Hamlet 5, Xuan Van Commune, Tuyen Quang Province, is still passionately devoted to Then singing and Tinh playing. She says, "Since I was young, I've loved Then singing and Tinh playing, but I didn't have the opportunity to practice. Now that I have more time, I'm actively pursuing my passion."

Ms. Ha Thi My guides the students in playing the Tinh lute and singing Then songs.

Revive the Then dance

Having participated in social work, serving as Vice President of the Women's Association of Trung Truc commune (formerly) now Xuan Van commune, and later working in population management in the village, Ms. My had the opportunity to develop cultural and artistic activities within the Association's movements. Maintaining the practice of Then singing and playing the Tinh lute helped to strengthen the bonds between members of different branches, enabling them to better carry out the Association's activities.

Looking at the clear, neat handwriting of each verse and Then song transcribed in thick notebooks, one can see Mrs. My's passion and dedication to traditional culture. In particular, not only does she meticulously collect and record Then songs from artisans or those she hears on the internet and YouTube to learn and teach others, but Mrs. My also composes new lyrics to suit the ever-changing times. Some of these songs have helped her more effectively promote and mobilize support for local movements and activities.

A practice session of the members of the Then singing and Tinh lute playing club in Xuan Van commune.

For example, the song "Historical Lung Tro" introduces a local historical site where President Ho Chi Minh stayed and worked for over 20 days in 1948 during the resistance war against the French. Or songs like " Tuyen Quang in Renovation," "Population Song," "Historical Covid," etc. With simple, relatable lyrics, she used them to educate the public and women's association members about population policies. Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, the songs promoted and encouraged everyone to comply with regulations on disease prevention and control, and to get vaccinated fully to protect themselves, their families, and the community: "Before the Corona pandemic storm/ Our people unite to overcome safely/ Therefore, we must not be complacent/ Get vaccinated fully, don't spread misinformation..." The lyrics are easy to remember and easy to learn, so they were well received and spread by everyone.

Ms. My meticulously instructed the students on how to play the Tinh instrument.

Passing on the "passion" to the younger generation.

After retiring from her job at the commune, Ms. My had more time to dedicate to Then singing and Tinh playing. In 2021, the Then Singing and Tinh Playing Club of Trung Truc commune (formerly) was established, with her as its chairperson. Initially, the club had 16 members who loved performing arts in hamlets 3, 4, and 5, where many Tay people live. The members were mostly middle-aged and elderly, so Ms. My was always concerned about how to teach the younger generation in the area to sing Then and play Tinh, lest the ethnic culture gradually fade away.

The students are actively practicing playing the Tinh instrument.

Acting on her idea, she and the club's management team organized summer classes teaching Then singing and Tinh playing for students. From 2021 to 2025, the club taught three classes to 36 children of various ages. Besides teaching how to play the instrument, she also diligently instructed the children on breathing techniques and singing each phrase in rhythm. Starting from scratch with Then singing and Tinh playing, many children gradually became proficient in both singing and playing.

Lục Thu Hường, an 8th-grade student at Trung Trực Primary and Secondary School in Xuân Vân commune, shared that she has been participating in the classes since their inception. Ms. Mỵ and the other women in the club have guided her and her classmates a great deal. Now, she can both play the Tính instrument and sing Then songs. She enjoys participating in the classes every summer and feels very proud of her ethnic group's Then music.

Ms. Ha Thi Ngoc, from Hamlet 3, Xuan Van Commune, a member of the club, expressed: "We teach the children as much as we know. Seeing them happy and enjoying learning makes us very satisfied. Only through learning will the younger generation know how to play the Tinh instrument and sing Then songs. Otherwise, when they grow up and go to work, they won't know about the beautiful cultural traditions of our people."

Hoang Thien Huong, a fourth-grade student, was taught to play the Tinh lute and sing Then songs by Mrs. My.

At just 4th grade, Hoang Thien Huong has been learning Then singing and playing the Tinh lute with her grandmother and older sisters. Hoang Thien Huong said, "I've been learning with my grandmother and sisters since 3rd grade, and I really enjoy it. Knowing how to play the Tinh lute and sing Then has made me much more confident in participating in school and class performances."

In particular, many children have had the opportunity to perform with the club at local and district-level cultural and artistic competitions and festivals, winning high awards. Ms. My happily shared: “In 2024, the club organized for 6 children to sing and 8 children to perform the Then song “A Flower Offering to Uncle Ho” at the district-level festival and won first prize. The children were very happy and gained more motivation to participate in learning.”

As I said goodbye to Mrs. My and left, I was still impressed by her clear, resonant voice, especially when she talked about teaching Then singing to the children; she smiled brightly and her eyes were full of pride.

Huyen Linh

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/du-lich/202603/ba-my-then-o-xuan-van-b83287c/