Currently, 80-100% of the population of the Thai, Mong, Dao, Muong, Lao, Khang, and Kho Mu ethnic groups use their mother tongue for communication in daily life. Some ethnic groups, such as the Thai, Mong, Dao, and Lao, still preserve their own writing systems, with the Thai script being highly prevalent and recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Currently, the Provincial Conservation, Museum, and Cultural and Sports Center houses over 1,400 ancient books written in the Thai script on traditional paper, recording the history, literature, and rich folk knowledge of the ethnic groups.
In addition, the teaching of the Thai script has also received attention. Notably, in 2013, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision recognizing the Son La Thai script, creating an important legal basis for gradually introducing the spoken and written Thai language into education. The Thai script has also been incorporated into the UNICODE system, used as a computer font, facilitating the learning and teaching of the Thai script at the Provincial Continuing Education Center and Son La College.
In the villages, classes teaching the Thai script, Dao script, and other languages are regularly maintained, attracting a large number of students of all ages. For many years, Ms. Lo Thi Mai Cuong has maintained a free Thai script class in Chau Co village, To Hieu ward, and actively participates in teaching classes organized by local authorities. Utilizing digital platforms, Ms. Cuong also creates videos teaching the Thai script and posts them on social media, helping many young people access their ethnic group's writing system more easily, no matter where they are. Ms. Cuong shared: "What I hope is that the younger generation will not forget their ethnic language. When they know how to read and write their ethnic script, they will understand their culture more deeply, inspire many other young people to proactively seek out their ethnic language, and contribute to preserving their ethnic heritage."
Ms. Quang Thi Anh Thu, from Group 3, Quyet Thang Ward, To Hieu Commune, shared: "As a member of the Thai ethnic group, I have always wanted to gain a deeper understanding of my people's writing system and culture. Upon completing the course and receiving the certificate, I felt very proud and motivated to continue preserving and spreading these traditional values."
In Van Ho commune, the Dao Nôm script class taught by Meritorious Artisan Ban Van Duc has become a shining example in cultural preservation efforts. After many years of diligent learning and collecting, he compiled a curriculum and opened free classes for the local people. Encouragingly, more and more young people are participating, showing their interest in their ethnic heritage.
In the classroom at the Ethnic Culture Preservation House in Suoi Lin village, built with support from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism since March 2023, ancient writing boards and books are vividly displayed. Distinguished artisan Ban Van Duc shared: "Teaching literacy is inseparable from culture. In each lesson, I incorporate stories about the history of the Dao ethnic group, guide students through traditional rituals such as the coming-of-age ceremony and the Pung Hieng festival (New Year's Day),... and introduce folk songs and bell dances. Through this, students not only learn to read and write but also understand and appreciate the cultural values of their ethnic group."
The province currently has over 100 cultural clubs, along with dozens of classes teaching ethnic languages and scripts, organized annually. Folk artisans, those with a deep understanding of traditional culture, are quietly "keeping the flame" of culture alive, passing it on to future generations. When ethnic languages and scripts are used and cherished, traditional cultural values are also continued and preserved intact.
Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/gin-giu-tieng-noi-and-chu-viet-dan-toc-FO8WfNpDR.html
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