Then singing - an endless source of cultural heritage.

Located in the heart of the Viet Bac region, Thai Nguyen province not only boasts many beautiful natural landscapes with lush green tea hills, palm forests, and tea plantations embracing historical and cultural relics, but also preserves the unique traditional cultural values of ethnic minority groups, including the Then singing of the Tay and Nung people.

Báo Thái Nguyên•21/04/2025

In 2019, "The Then ritual practices of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam" was inscribed by UNESCO on the list of Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

I've watched the Lẩu Then performance of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Thai Nguyen province many times. The melody of the background song flows endlessly on the magical stream of sound from the Tinh lute, yet each time I have a different feeling. But the same feeling remains: one of enchantment, like being lost in a realm of heaven and earth.

The "Feast" of Then Hot Pot begins with the pure innocence of both host and guests. And this spiritual feast has a strange intoxicating effect; each note of music and song in the ear seeps in, lingers, and seems to "guide" everyone present to the Then realm.

Then singing is a unique form of folk art, combining lyrics, dance, and music , and is often performed in religious ceremonies and traditional festivals of the Tay and Nung people.

Then means "heaven," representing the connection between humans and the spiritual world , the gods. The Tinh lute, with its clear, smooth sound, is an indispensable instrument in every Then performance.

Then singing is often performed during major festivals such as prayers for a good harvest, prayers for peace, initiation ceremonies, or community gatherings. Each Then lyric and each dance carries profound meaning, expressing aspirations for a prosperous and happy life, abundant harvests, and family peace. Then singers are not only artists but also "Then masters"—those who connect the earthly realm with the spiritual realm.

If Then singing is the voice of heaven and earth, then the Tinh lute is the indispensable soul of every Then performance. The Tinh lute is a unique traditional musical instrument, simple in structure but with an exceptionally special sound. The Tinh lute is not only an accompaniment for Then singing but also a tool for artists to express their talent and emotions. This is because the material for Then is a crystallization of the distinctive and exquisite beauty of unique traditional culture. For example, in the Then performance, there is a suite: "Khun tang pay cau an" (Going to the heavenly realm to pray for peace for family and village).

“Khửn tàng pây cầu an” is an ancient Then ritual consisting of 10 chapters: “Páo pháp páo slay” (Presenting to Buddha, deities, and saints for the ceremony); “Thái vế” (Cleansing and purifying the altar for the ceremony); “Khảm lệ” (Dancing to inspect the offerings before departure); “Pây tàng” (The Then army sets off); “Khảm hải” (Crossing the Milky Way); “Khẩu tu va” (Entering the king's gate); “Nộp lệ” (Presenting offerings); “Ký slư lồng đang” (Proclaiming blessings); “Tán đàn, tán lệ” (Dancing to celebrate the ceremony and offerings); and “Hồi binh, khao mạ” (Celebrating the army).

From everyday life, Lẩu Then has been artistically transformed, brought to the stage, and in recent years, Then singers from Thai Nguyen have participated in national and regional festivals. Because it embodies the essence of culture and has a unique, mysterious quality, the participating artists consistently win gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Then singer Hoang Thi Doi (from Phuong Tien commune, Dinh Hoa district) said: "Then lyrics also have their own rhythm and rules. When you don't know them, you find them strange and interesting, so you become curious to learn. Once your fingers know how to press and release the keys of the instrument, and your mouth knows how to hum the songs, you become captivated. No matter how busy you are, you will dedicate some time each day to playing and singing, just like people need food and clothing."

Then singer Hoang Van Khanh (from Dan Tien commune, Vo Nhai district) shared: "From the cradle, my parents lulled me to sleep with Then songs. The lyrics of Then and the sound of the Tinh instrument were like special rice that nourished my soul as I grew up. But only later did I realize the simple yet profound essence, the heartfelt yet sublime nature of Then lyrics and the elegant tone of the Tinh instrument. Therefore, I am more dedicated to the instrument and the songs, with the wish to work with other artisans to preserve and promote this unique traditional cultural beauty of my people."

Then singing and Tinh playing are not only art forms but also an indispensable part of the spiritual life of the people of Thai Nguyen. For the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, Then is the voice of their hearts, a prayer, and an expression of gratitude to their ancestors and deities. The smooth and profound melodies of Then have become ingrained in their subconscious, serving as a source of encouragement and comfort in their daily lives.

But for a long period, several decades, the Then and Tinh songs of the ethnic minorities were forgotten. Even children going to school were hesitant to speak their own ethnic language. At home, grandparents, parents, and children learned to speak the common language together. A beautiful cultural aspect representing the Tay and Nung ethnic groups of Northern Vietnam was gradually fading away. Especially in the context of integration with countries around the world, indigenous cultures were diluted, and the children of ethnic minorities, including the Tay and Nung, followed the trends of foreign music.

Changing lifestyles and the encroachment of modern culture have led to a decline in the younger generation's interest in traditional values. Many elderly Then artists have passed away, taking their ancient Then songs and Tinh lute melodies to the afterlife. This poses a significant challenge in preserving and promoting the value of Then singing and Tinh lute playing.

Recognizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage, over the years, the relevant authorities and departments of Thai Nguyen province have made many efforts to preserve and promote the value of Then singing and Tinh playing. Many classes teaching Then singing and Tinh playing have been opened in residential areas and schools, attracting the participation of a large number of people, especially the younger generation.

Festivals and competitions for Then singing and Tinh playing are also regularly organized, creating a platform for Then singers to express their feelings, showcase their talents, and inspire the community with Then music.

When discussing Then singing in Thai Nguyen province, one must mention artisan Tran Yen Binh, from Group 1A, Tan Lap Ward (Thai Nguyen City). Mr. Binh has put a lot of effort into reviving the Then singing and Tinh lute playing movement in Thai Nguyen province.

The story began 20 years ago, when Mr. Tran Yen Binh was working at the Provincial Cultural Center (now the Provincial Center for Culture and Arts). He recounted: "Following the instructions of Comrade Mong Dong Vu, Director of the Provincial Cultural Center, I collected and gathered Then singing artisans. When we had enough members, over 10 people, we established a provincial-level Then singing club."

To fulfill his assigned "mission," Mr. Binh sought out Then singing artisans to encourage them to join the club. Whenever he heard of someone who knew how to sing Then, he would go to their house and "plead" with them. Seeing his enthusiasm, several elderly people who knew how to sing Then and play the Tinh instrument registered to join, and also encouraged their children and grandchildren to participate in the activities to learn Then singing and Tinh playing.

In 2007, the club was founded with 18 members, but fewer than 10 knew how to sing Then or play the Tinh instrument.

Difficulties are inevitable, even for People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong, Head of the Then Singing Club of Thai Nguyen province. At that time, she was a retired official from the Viet Bac Folk Music and Dance Theatre. She recounted: "When I was invited to join, I didn't immediately participate because I thought the club was for performing and earning money like the old troupes. Only later did I understand that joining the club was about singing Then songs, playing the Tinh instrument, and passing on the tradition to the younger generation. That's when I accepted the invitation to join the club."

From that time onwards, the Then songs and the Tinh lute music were shared and supplemented among the club members. Accordingly, ancient and modernized Then songs were performed properly, completely, and according to the rules, and passed down to the club members.

Many people joined the club without ever having held a Tinh instrument or sung Then songs before. However, after just one year of persistent practice, they memorized many songs, could play and sing, and even compose new Then songs. Then they spread the Then songs and Tinh music to the people in the region. To date, the Provincial Then Singing Club has grown to over 50 members.

The good news is that the club members have spread their passion for Then singing widely throughout the community. As a result, the number of people who know how to sing Then and play the Tinh instrument is increasing, and dozens of Then singing clubs have been established in residential areas, with approximately 500 members.

The villagers guide and help each other learn the skills of playing the Tinh lute, mastering the nuances of intonation and breath control during the singing. Hands accustomed to planting rice, picking tea, and chopping firewood suddenly become soft and graceful with the Tinh lute. Then, the songs rise up, warm like the morning sun, easing weariness and bringing people closer together.

Nowadays, the mass media features a diverse range of music from various cultures around the world, some boisterous, some gentle, yet miraculously present in everyday life, the lyrics of Then and the sounds of Tinh naturally resonate with the sweet melodies of heaven and earth, and of the human heart. This is simply because singing Then and playing Tinh are not just art forms, but also embody the soul and profound cultural beauty of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups of Northern Vietnam.

Each Then melody, each Tinh lute note, embodies love and attachment to the homeland, to the roots, and to the traditional cultural values that have been preserved and passed down for millennia and will continue to do so forever.