Nestled amidst the majestic Truong Son mountain range, in the western part of Quang Tri province, where lush green mountains stretch endlessly, lie peaceful villages inhabited by the Pa Co and Van Kieu people for generations. Here, the sounds of singing, playing musical instruments, and the melodies of the khene (a traditional wind instrument) still resonate every morning and evening.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still those who quietly and persistently dedicate their lives to preserving the songs, dances, gongs, and soul of their homeland's mountains and forests. This is the very source and unique identity of the nation that can never be forgotten.
The "fire keepers" in the hearth
Every afternoon, the community cultural center in Hamlet 6, Lao Bao commune, resonates with the simple yet familiar sounds of the Bru-Van Kieu folk music class, featuring the sounds of musical instruments and singing.
In that setting, the image of Mr. Ho Van Mang meticulously adjusting each lyric, each note, each rhyme, each rhythm of the instrument, diligently teaching the youth in the village, has become familiar to generations of students. The clear, melodious Ta Oai and Xa Not songs, sung by the young students, seem to dispel the chill of early winter.
From those initial awkward moments, with off-key playing and mispronounced lyrics, everything now seems familiar and easier for the students.
In the remote border regions, the laughter and songs of young men and women have become a source of joy and pride for the entire village whenever a music class is held. Melodies that seemed to only resonate in the memories of the village elders are now revived through the skillful hands and enthusiastic hearts of the younger generation.
In the community center of the highlands, everyone's eyes light up with each rhythmic beat and each lingering note, as if they are feeling more deeply about their roots and the voice of their people's soul. Each lesson is not just a singing practice session, but also a journey to rediscover cultural values that are gradually fading amidst the pace of modern life.
Distinguished artisan Kray Sức teaches Pa Cô folk songs to young students. (Photo: VNA)
Having dedicated his entire life, heart, and passion to generations of students, every time he hears the singing and the sound of the flute, the heart of village elder Ho Van Mang is filled with emotion. Pride is clearly visible on his face, marked by time, because for him, "as long as our culture remains, our village remains."
For Mr. Mang, each successful performance of the flute melody and each song by the children is the greatest reward, because it is a sign that the nation's cultural heritage is being revived in the hearts of the younger generation. For more than 10 years, with love and dedication, he has participated in more than 20 cultural events inside and outside the province, directly teaching folk songs to nearly 200 students.
"Modern music is so prevalent now that the traditional Bru-Van Kieu folk songs are fading away. I fear that one day, the younger generation will no longer remember the lyrics, songs, and flute melodies of our homeland, so I'm always worried about this. I only hope that I can pass on as much knowledge as possible to my children and grandchildren, so that Ta Oai, Xa Not... can be revived amidst the mountains and forests," Mr. Mang shared.
Culture is not just the past, but also a resource for the future. Preserving the soul of culture means preserving the spiritual strength of the people in the highlands. Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still people quietly preserving the unique cultural features of the mountains and forests of western Quang Tri.
Mr. Ho Van Hoi, Chairman of the Khe Sanh Gong Club, shared: "Mr. Ho Van Mang is a talented and dedicated person. His teaching of folk melodies within the club has greatly contributed to preserving ethnic culture for today's youth. People like Mr. Mang are the 'link' connecting the past with the present and the future."
As the first Pa Cô ethnic minority member of Quang Tri province to be awarded the title of "Outstanding Artisan," Mr. Kray Sức (A Liêng village, Tà Rụt commune) is a prime example in the journey of preserving and promoting ethnic culture. His persistent efforts in researching, compiling, and teaching have contributed to spreading the folk culture and folk songs of the Pa Cô ethnic group to today's younger generation.
Having dedicated his life to teaching the younger generation and collecting every musical piece and traditional instrument of his people, Mr. Kray Sức remains tirelessly dedicated, like a "keeper of the flame" in the hearth. Time may have slowed his hands, diminished his pace, and worn down his strength, but his spirit and will have never wavered. For him, preserving culture is not just a duty, but also a promise to his ancestors, a gift to leave for future generations.
Looking towards the misty mountain peaks, Mr. Kray Suc from Ta Rut commune still firmly believes that the sounds of gongs, flutes, dances, and folk songs of the Pa Co and Van Kieu people are the unchanging soul of the mountains and forests. "I'm old now, my strength isn't what it used to be, but as long as I can breathe and stand, I will continue to teach my children and grandchildren. If the culture is lost, everything is lost…," he said, his voice sinking in the chilly winter air.
For him, passing on cultural knowledge is not just a task for today, but a way to maintain the connection between the past and the future.
He recounted: “When I was a child, hearing the sound of gongs meant knowing the rice harvest was approaching or a festival was coming. There were many festivals: celebrating the new rice crop, offering sacrifices for the harvest season, Ariêu Piing… The gong dances in the festivals resonated with folk songs like the A dền, Ka lơi, Xiêng, Cha chấp…, that is the soul of the Pa Cô people's culture.”
Community development drivers
In Lao Bao commune, the clear sounds of gongs, the Ampreh, Ta Lu, and the khen be still echo during every festival and village celebration. The singing and dancing blend with the sound of the stream, the wind, and the lively footsteps of the villagers gathered around a blazing bonfire in the night.
Established from three gong ensembles in Ka Tang, Ka Tup, and Khe Da, with 32 members including both the elderly and the youth, the Lao Bao Gong Club has become a shining example in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Bru-Van Kieu people.
During the club's practice sessions, the elders carefully adjust each beat, while the younger generation leans to strike each gong, meticulously tuning each note to ensure the pitch is accurate and the sound resonates steadily amidst the majestic mountains and forests. These sounds, sometimes lively like the footsteps of a festival, sometimes lingering and profound like a prayer offered to the gods. Even living in the heart of the city, the Van Kieu people still regard gongs and drums as sacred objects – a link between present-day people and their ancestors, between the present village and the distant past. And in the sacred space of the gong's sound, the mountains and forests seem to listen, harmonizing with the heartbeat of the people here.
From those gong rhythms, Lao Bao is gradually developing community tourism , creating a space where tourists can not only visit but also immerse themselves in the Van Kieu cultural life: joining in the gong playing, dancing, listening to the flute music, and feeling the simple, sincere rhythm of life in the Truong Son mountains.
Traditional folk songs and melodies resound from the stilt houses. (Photo: VNA)
Always proud of the Bru-Van Kieu ethnic identity that his ancestors have preserved for generations, village elder Ho Van Ly (Lao Bao commune) shared: “In the past, the sounds of stringed instruments and flutes were associated with every household. But war and modern music have caused many things to be lost and gradually fade away. Now, I only hope to restore what has been lost so that future generations will understand their roots and know how to cherish and preserve the soul of their ethnic group.”
From simple folk songs to the resonant sounds of stringed instruments and flutes echoing through the majestic Truong Son mountain range, everything blends into a symphony of national pride. Amidst the vast wilderness, the Bru-Van Kieu people steadfastly preserve the cultural treasures of their ancestors, not only through memory but also through action, with loving hearts and a sense of responsibility. Preserving heritage is not just about preserving the past, but also about preserving the soul of a nation. And for the Bru-Van Kieu people today, that journey continues, resonating forever in the Truong Son mountains.
Mr. Mai Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Tri province, said that in the context of modern life strongly impacting traditional culture, preserving the identity of the Pa Co-Van Kieu ethnic group is an urgent and long-term task. The department is focusing on key solutions, emphasizing selective preservation and restoration of distinctive values such as folk songs, folk dances, musical instruments, and traditional festivals. In the future, the province will continue to coordinate with localities and artisans to open classes to teach folk songs and musical instruments; and at the same time support folk culture clubs to operate regularly and in depth.
The Department also implements training programs for the next generation of leaders, focusing on identifying and nurturing young talents; carrying out documentation and digitization of heritage; supporting artisans in their teaching activities; and building mechanisms to honor and encourage young people to participate in learning and inheriting valuable indigenous knowledge.
The province has identified linking cultural preservation with economic development as a sustainable approach, prioritizing the promotion of community-based tourism rooted in culture and heritage.
(VNA/Vietnam+)
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/giu-tieng-chieng-linh-thieng-giua-dai-ngan-truong-son-hung-vi-post1080932.vnp
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