Spreading the sound of the zither in the land of martial arts.

(GLO) - From the distant land of Ca Mau, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa Diem brought her passion for the guzheng (Chinese zither) - a traditional Chinese musical instrument - to the land of martial arts. Here, she opened guzheng classes in An Nhon, Quy Nhon, creating a refined space of Eastern music in the heart of the heroic land of martial arts.

Báo Gia Lai•12/08/2025

Having a connection with the land of martial arts.

Born in 1980 in Bac Lieu (now Ca Mau province) – where Southern Vietnamese folk music (recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in 2013) has deeply permeated the spiritual life of the people – Nguyen Thi Hoa Diem was nevertheless captivated by the sound of the guzheng. This ancient Chinese stringed instrument has a clear, melodious sound that speaks volumes, like the self-narrative of the soul.

“Before that, I had studied Vietnamese zither for a few months, but it was interrupted due to work commitments. Later, I met Ms. Lien Tran, a zither teacher in Ho Chi Minh City. The first time I heard the zither, I was captivated. Since then, I have studied and become attached to the zither as if it were a destined connection,” Ms. Diem recounted.

After seven years of studying the zither, Ms. Diem taught at several music classes in Ho Chi Minh City. Five years ago, during a visit to Binh Dinh (now Gia Lai province) to see a friend, she was captivated by the scenery and people there, so she decided to stay in An Nhon (formerly) to begin her journey of spreading the unique sound of the zither in the land of martial arts.

The generous land of Vo has captivated Ms. Hoa Diem, allowing her to continue playing the zither. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Initially, the zither-teaching class in An Nhon surprised many, because the zither is originally a Chinese instrument, while the martial arts region is famous for its traditional opera, folk singing, and ceremonial music. Ms. Diem confided: "At first, no one enrolled because this instrument was still unfamiliar to many. But I believe that with perseverance, I will find like-minded people."

The first class opened in An Nhon with only 2-3 students. Through quiet but joyful lessons, gradually more and more people who loved traditional music came to learn.

With passion and perseverance, Hoa Diem's zither lessons have gradually attracted many students. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

“The Vietnamese zither and the Chinese guzheng are both traditional musical instruments of their respective nations, each with its own unique characteristics. I teach zithers using an inspirational method, guiding students to appreciate the beauty of the guzheng, understand music theory, and become familiar with each string and fret before focusing on technique. This helps even beginners learn to play the guzheng in a short time,” Ms. Diem explained.

The sound of the zither in the heart of the seaside town.

In mid-July, Ms. Diem opened another class teaching traditional Vietnamese zither playing in Quy Nhon with 7 students, mostly female students, office workers, and freelancers. The classroom, located at 22 Pham Ho Street (Quy Nhon Nam Ward, Gia Lai Province), looks simple, with just a few zithers mounted on stands, a small whiteboard, and a frame for clipping music theory books. Yet, it always resonates with cheerful laughter and the melodious, graceful sound of the zither every Friday morning.

Ms. Le Thi Kim Yen (from Phu Cat commune), a freelance worker and student of traditional painting in Quy Nhon, said: “I had heard about traditional painting online and was fascinated. When I learned that Ms. Diem was opening a class, I immediately registered. Each lesson is a way for my soul to relax.”

After working in an office and taking zither lessons for over a month, Ms. Ngo Thi Huong (from Quy Nhon ward) shared: "My job is stressful and often leaves me feeling tense. But when I sit by the zither, playing a few notes on the strings, I feel relaxed, and my worries seem to disappear."

As an office worker, Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Huong (Quy Nhon ward) takes up playing the zither as a way to relieve work stress. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Besides teaching the zither, Ms. Diem also tells her students about the history of the zither, about Eastern culture, and explores the beauty of tranquility in life. In each lesson, she explains each note, the techniques of plucking the strings, and then lets the students feel the music themselves. Sometimes, she plays along with them on a section of a piece of music, both to practice their finger technique and to nurture their emotions through each melody.

Teacher Hoa Diem is instructing students on the technique of plucking the strings of a musical instrument. **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan.**

Ms. Diem shared: "The zither is not just a musical instrument, but also a means for people to find inner peace. The class is also a place for connection, where people can find elegance amidst the hustle and bustle of life."

Currently, Ms. Diem is also connecting with several temples to organize small performances, introducing traditional paintings as a beautiful aspect of Eastern culture in the hospitable land of Vo.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, the melodious sounds of the zither emanating from teacher Hoa Diem's small classroom seem to urge people to pause, listen, and live slowly. From the southernmost riverine region of the country, Ms. Diem has brought with her the sound of the zither, silently sowing gentle melodies into the souls of the people of Binh Dinh province like a quiet harmony…