Preserving the Then dance

Ms. Ha Thi My, head of the Then singing club in Xuan Van commune, practices Then singing and playing the Tinh lute.

Ms. Ha Thi My, 68 years old, from Hamlet 5, Head of the Then Singing Club in Xuan Van Commune, shared that she had been passionate about Then singing and playing the Tinh lute since childhood, but had little time to practice. Later, during her time as Vice President of the Women's Association of Trung Truc Commune (formerly), in addition to implementing emulation movements launched by the Association, she and the Executive Committee encouraged and created conditions for the development of cultural and artistic activities in the hamlets, especially in preserving the cultural identity of ethnic minorities.

In particular, Hamlet 5, predominantly inhabited by the Tay ethnic group, has maintained a performing arts group with many members participating in practicing Then singing and playing the Tinh lute. Most people learned on their own through the internet and YouTube, then taught each other. In 2021, with the approval of the Commune People's Committee, the commune's Then Singing Club was established, attracting 26 members of various ages.

Ms. Ban Thi Luong is teaching her son to play the Tinh instrument.

The club maintained regular monthly practice sessions. Each member purchased traditional Tay ethnic costumes and a Tinh lute to practice playing; those who knew how to sing taught those who didn't, and everyone was enthusiastic about practicing. Gradually, all members were able to play the Tinh lute and sing some basic songs.

Although she married into the Dao ethnic group in Quy Quan commune (now Luc Hanh commune), Ms. Ban Thi Luong, Vice Chairman of the Then Singing Club in Xuan Van commune, is passionate about Then singing. Ms. Luong expressed that, for her, the Pao Dung singing of the Dao people has its own unique charm, and the Then singing and Tinh playing of the Tay people are also very distinctive. Therefore, she taught herself to sing Then and play the Tinh online, and when the Then singing club in her commune was established, she actively participated and guided other members in their practice.

To contribute to preserving the cultural identity of the Tay ethnic group, the club also opens Then singing classes during the summer for students. To date, the club has opened 3 classes with more than 30 participants. Ms. Ha Thi My, the club's chairperson, said that she and the club members have created their own lesson plans to teach the students in a way that is as easy to understand and learn as possible. With their love, passion, and active practice, many children have become active and core members in the school's performing arts teams.

Ms. Ban Thi Luong, Deputy Head of the Then Singing Club in Xuan Van commune, enthusiastically practices Then singing and playing the Tinh instrument.

Lục Huyền Lương, a student in class 6A at Trung Trực Secondary School, excitedly said, "I've been learning to play the Tinh instrument and sing Then songs for two years. The teachers have been very enthusiastic in guiding me, and now I can sing and play many songs. My favorites are the Then songs: 'Liberation of the South on April 30th,' 'Celebrating the Party and the Spring Festival,' etc."

The club also regularly participates in exchanges with clubs in neighboring provinces such as Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan (formerly). Simultaneously, it actively practices to participate in cultural and artistic performances and exchanges in the area. In 2023, the club won the A prize at the Yen Son (formerly) District Ethnic Culture Festival with the song and dance performance "Celebrating the Party, Celebrating Spring"; in 2025, it won the A prize with the performance "Tuyen Quang, My Homeland".

Driven by their love and passion for Then singing and Tinh playing, the members of the Then Singing Club in Xuan Van commune are making a practical contribution to spreading the national cultural identity within the community.

Huyen Linh

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/du-lich/202507/giu-gin-dieu-then-ae57543/