Preserving the craft of making Tinh lutes.

Then singing and Tinh lute playing are indispensable art forms in the cultural and spiritual life of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. Over time, this art form has been continuously preserved and promoted thanks to the dedication of artisans who are passionate about their ethnic heritage. Many artisans both perform Then and make Tinh lutes themselves to serve the cultural activities of their communities, creating additional income and improving the lives of their families.

Nong Quang Hao's zither-making workshop in Cam Giang commune.

From handcrafted musical instruments

In Khuoi Tac village, Cho Don commune, folk artist Van Tien Khoi is not only known for his excellent then singing and skillful playing of the tinh instrument, but also for his ability to handcraft the tinh instruments of the Tay ethnic group. Artist Van Tien Khoi recounts that since 2008, when he opened his first then singing class, his students lacked instruments, so he taught himself to make them so they would have tools to practice with. That's how the craft has stayed with him until now.

According to artisan Van Tien Khoi, the zither consists of the following parts: the neck, the body, the soundboard, the headstock, and the strings. The neck is made of light, soft wood with a dense grain, usually mulberry or juniper wood. The length of the neck ranges from 75-90cm.

To make a zither, the craftsman must go through many stages, from selecting the wood for the neck and the gourd for the body, to skillfully planing, carving, sculpting, and stringing the instrument to create a zither with a standard, smooth tone.

As for Mr. Ly Van Chien, from Na Dau village, Nam Cuong commune, who has long been passionate about Then singing and Tinh playing and participating in local cultural and artistic activities, he understands that crafting Tinh instruments to serve the needs of Then singing enthusiasts is crucial for spreading the art of Then singing and Tinh playing.

To create a beautiful zither with a perfect tone, both resonant and accurate, requires the craftsman to pay close attention and be meticulous in every step of the crafting process.

According to Mr. Ly Van Chien, the sound box is the most important part, determining the quality of the instrument. The sound box is usually made from a gourd; it is necessary to choose gourds that are not too big, not too small, with a round mouth, and must be mature, with a beautiful round shape, thick skin, and a clear, resonant sound to produce the correct tone.

Other parts such as the soundboard, earcups, and mouthpiece are also carefully selected, especially the neck, which must be made from aged wood to ensure the instrument lasts a long time and does not warp. All stages of production are done by hand, with precise carving.

Moving on to gift products

Currently, in the northern part of the province, the đàn tính (a traditional Vietnamese stringed instrument) is not only a traditional instrument associated with the then singing tradition but has also become a popular tourist souvenir.

From instruments made out of personal passion, the products of artisans like Van Tien Khoi and Ly Van Chien have become well-known and have received many orders.

Tourists experience learning to play the zither and buy them as souvenirs for friends.

Each instrument sells for between 1,000,000 and 1,500,000 VND, providing the artisans with a fairly steady income. For them, making instruments not only helps them make ends meet but also motivates them to preserve the Then folk melodies and traditional crafts of their ethnic group.

In Phiêng Luông village, Cẩm Giàng commune, the workshop for crafting the Tinh lute, owned by the couple Mã Thị Dạy and Nông Quang Hảo, is bustling with activity all day long.

Through our conversation, we learned that when they first opened their workshop, Ms. Ma Thi Day and her husband only accepted orders from people who loved Then singing within the province. But now, their products are available in many provinces and cities and are even shipped abroad as a gift with a distinct highland flavor. Each year, the workshop produces between 4,000 and 6,000 musical instruments.

The development of the instrument-making craft, along with the dedication of artisans like Van Tien Khoi, Mr. Chien, and Mr. Hao, has helped preserve and spread the art of Then singing. The sound of the instrument resonates not only in festivals and the stilt houses of the Tay and Nung people but also in the luggage of tourists, as a reminder of a heritage being revived amidst modern life.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202512/giu-nghe-che-tac-dan-tinh-c3e1b17/