Mong Flute Festival - Awakening Identity in the Heart of the Ancient Town

Amidst the towering gray rocky mountains of the Stone Plateau, as mist still lingers on the thatched roofs of the houses, the sound of the Hmong flute suddenly rises, its melodious notes like a call from the depths of the mountains and forests. This sound not only awakens the morning but also awakens memories, the way of life, and the soul of an ethnic group that has been intimately connected to the rocks for generations. In this northernmost region of the country, the flute is not just a musical instrument, but the voice, the cultural soul of the Hmong people.

The Khen (bamboo flute) - the voice of both people and mountains.

In late April, amidst the ancient atmosphere of Dong Van Old Town, the sound of the Hmong flute resonates more than ever during the Hmong Flute Festival. However, simply observing the flute through a festival may not fully capture its value. The flute has been a part of the Hmong people's daily lives, from joy to sorrow, from romantic love to farewells.

For the Hmong people, the khèn (a type of bamboo flute) is not simply a musical instrument for performance. It is a special "language," where each melody carries a story. Hmong men can use the khèn to express their feelings to their loved ones, conveying unspoken words through sounds carried on the mountain winds. In markets and festivals, the lively sound of the khèn extends the joy and strengthens community bonds.

The footsteps of young couples blend with the sound of the bamboo flute in the old town of Dong Van.

But the khene also has very different tones. In funerals, the sound of the khene is somber and poignant, like a farewell, guiding the soul of the deceased back to their ancestors. There, the khene becomes a connecting thread between people and the spiritual world , between the present and their origins.

Sùng Mí Sính, an artisan who has been involved with the Hmong flute in Đồng Văn for over 40 years, shared: “We Hmong people grew up with the sound of the Hmong flute. Not knowing how to play the flute is considered not yet mature. Each flute melody has its own meaning, from songs to call friends and lovers to farewell songs. The Hmong flute is the voice of the heart; without it, it's like losing a part of our soul.”

To create a complete khaen (a type of bamboo mouth organ), the craftsman must go through many meticulous steps, from selecting the wood, carving the body, assembling the bamboo tubes, to tuning the sound. Each khaen is not only a handcrafted product, but also the culmination of experience, a sense of sound, and the soul of the person who made it. Therefore, not everyone can make a khaen that truly has a soul.

On the rocky plateau, where living conditions are still very difficult, the Hmong flute becomes even more precious. It accompanies the Hmong people to the fields and to the market, follows the footsteps of young men from the village in their search for a life partner, accompanies them in the circle dances at night festivals, and even accompanies them in the final farewell ceremonies of a person's life.

When the sound of the bamboo flute enters modern life

In recent years, with the attention of the government and changes in lifestyle, the Hmong flute is not only present in villages but has also stepped out into the wider world, becoming an important part of cultural and tourism activities.

At the Mong Flute Festival in Dong Van, the sight of young men and women in traditional costumes playing the flute and dancing has become a highlight. The graceful and powerful dances, harmonizing with the sound of the flute, create a vibrant cultural atmosphere that captivates not only locals but also tourists from all over.

The melodious sound of the Hmong flute resonates through the rocky landscape, recreating the traditional culture of the Hmong people.

Mr. Pham Duc Nam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Van commune, said: "Organizing the Mong Flute Festival not only aims to honor traditional cultural values, but also contributes to creating a highlight to attract tourists. Through the festival, we hope to preserve and promote the art of the Mong flute, and at the same time make culture a driving force for the socio -economic development of the locality."

Beyond its role on the festival stage, the sound of the Hmong flute has become a "bridge" connecting tourists closer to the local culture. Many visitors to Dong Van not only want to admire the scenery, but also want to listen to, watch, and even try playing the flute to experience a part of the spiritual life of the Hmong people.

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “I had seen the khene dance on television before, but standing in the middle of Dong Van Old Town and hearing the khene's sound echoing amidst the rocky mountains, it felt completely different. It wasn't just music; it was like a story, making me understand more about the people here.”

The presence of the khene (a type of bamboo flute) in tourism activities and community cultural products is also opening up new avenues. Exhibition spaces showcasing the craft of khene making, training classes for the younger generation, and performances for tourists are contributing to restoring the khene to its rightful place in modern life.

However, in the context of integration, preserving and promoting the value of the khen (a traditional Vietnamese wind instrument) still faces many challenges. Young people have more entertainment options, and not everyone is still interested in learning to play the khen – a skill that requires time, perseverance, and passion.

Therefore, activities like the Hmong Flute Festival - 2026 are not only for entertainment but also a way to "awaken" a love for culture in each person, especially the younger generation. As long as the sound of the flute still resonates in the villages, and as long as young people are still passionately learning each melody, then the Hmong cultural identity will continue to be preserved.

Amidst the ever-changing pace of life on the Dong Van Karst Plateau, with new roads opening and opportunities for development drawing closer, the sound of the khen (a traditional Vietnamese wind instrument) remains – quietly yet persistently. Like an invisible thread, the khen keeps people connected to their roots, to the values ​​that have shaped the identity of this land.

And perhaps, as long as the sound of the Hmong flute still resonates in Dong Van, the northernmost rocky region will continue to retain its own unique rhythm – a rhythm named culture, memory, and the people who have poured their souls into every note of the Hmong flute.

Text and photos: Duc Quy

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/van-hoa/du-lich/202604/le-hoi-khen-mong-danh-thuc-ban-sac-giua-long-pho-co-e3515b3/