Preserving the spirit of Then in the traditional stilt house

In Duc Luong commune, Ms. Dao Thi Thoa (born in 1977) persistently "keeps the flame alive." For over 30 years, she has learned, been involved with, and preserved the Then folk songs from the warmth of her parents' hearth. For her, the difficulty of Then lies not in the lyrics but in the perfect harmony between the singing voice and the Tinh lute.

Ms. Dao Thi Thoa (first from the right) has always been the steadfast "keeper of the rhythm" for the Then folk singing tradition in Duc Luong commune.

The Tinh lute, a "connecting thread" between humans and deities, is crafted with meticulous care. The body of the instrument must be made from a perfectly round, dried gourd, and the soundboard is a thin, 3mm-thick paulownia wood to ensure a resonant sound. Then singing possesses a profound spiritual depth. It is the unique and unadulterated identity of the mountains and forests of Northern Vietnam.

Then singing still flows through the vast forests primarily through oral tradition. Lacking musical notation and textbooks, the ancient melodies are like a fragile thread in the face of the whirlwind of the younger generation's struggle for survival. However, at the Then Singing and Dan Tinh Playing Club in Duc Luong commune, Ms. Thoa, along with more than 20 members, ranging from 70-year-old elders to young people in their 30s, are striving to keep the rhythm of Dan Tinh playing alive every morning and evening.

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A practice session of the Then singing club in Duc Luong commune, with members of various ages participating.

Accordingly, each commune will receive a maximum of 300 million VND, and each ward 200 million VND, for investment in equipment; in addition, each club will receive 30 million VND per year to maintain its activities. This policy, implemented from 2026 to 2030, aims to retain participants and maintain community cultural spaces.

This is what motivates people like Ms. Thoa to remain steadfast. Beneath the stilt houses, the sound of the Tinh instrument continues to resonate, waiting for young hands to return and continue this sacred cultural tradition.

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Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/mien-nui-vung-cao/202607/giu-hon-then-ben-nep-nha-san-7a52790/