Distinguished artisan Dinh Quang Chuong, the "keeper of the soul" of Muong folk songs.

Amidst the modern pace of life spreading to every mountain village, Meritorious Artisan Dinh Quang Chuong quietly and persistently maintains his role as the "keeper of the soul" of Muong folk songs, contributing to integrating traditional cultural heritage into the flow of community tourism development.

Born and raised in a rich Muong cultural environment, from the age of 15, Mr. Dinh Quang Chuong became deeply involved with folk songs such as Dang Muong, Vi Muong, Mo Muong, and Moi Muong. He not only learned to sing and perform, but also spent many years researching and collecting ancient lyrics and melodies, systematizing folk knowledge that had primarily been passed down orally through generations. For him, each song, each rhythm, is not just music , but also a memory, a way of life, and a moral principle of the Muong people.

Photo caption — Distinguished artisan Dinh Quang Chuong.

According to cultural researchers, Muong folk songs are a rich treasure trove, encompassing three main genres: the Meng style, which is narrative in nature, recreating history, customs, and daily life; the Dang Muong style, which encompasses various themes, from praising the homeland and village to blessings in community life; and the Vi Muong style, a call-and-response singing style rich in courtship and folk wisdom. The special feature of these melodies lies in their ability to convey moral values and moral teachings, guiding descendants towards a life of compassion, loyalty, respect for elders, and strong bonds with family and village.

Therefore, for Meritorious Artisan Dinh Quang Chuong, preserving Muong folk songs does not stop at performance, but must be linked to teaching and regular practice in daily life. As Chairman of the Elderly Association of Kim Bon commune and Head of the Muong Folk Song Teaching Club in Tang Lang village, he, along with other elderly artisans, has encouraged villagers to participate in cultural activities. The club was established seven years ago, initially facing many difficulties, from facilities to the number of participants.

Through persistent efforts, going door-to-door and proactively proposing to local Party committees and authorities, the Club gradually received support in terms of meeting venues and opportunities to perform at village and commune events. From having only a few elderly members, the Club has now attracted many people of different ages, including a significant number of young people who know how to sing and love Dang Muong music.

These regular gatherings are not only for vocal training and dance practice, but also become a space for community interaction, where generations of Muong people sit together, listen to the elders tell old stories, learn ancient songs, and pass on performance experience. In this intimate space, heritage is passed on naturally, without imposition, helping to nurture Muong identity in daily life.

Along with preserving its heritage, Kim Bon commune has gradually developed community tourism in recent years, considering traditional culture as the "key" to attracting visitors. According to Meritorious Artisan Dinh Quang Chuong, to prevent heritage from being "confined" to museums, culture needs to be integrated into the lives and livelihoods of the people. When culture is linked to tourism, people not only gain additional income but also have the motivation to preserve the values left by their ancestors.

In reality, many domestic and international tourists visiting Kim Bon not only want to see the scenery but also want to experience the local way of life. During meals around the campfire, visitors listen to Muong songs of invitation and blessing, join the locals in grilling meat, potatoes, and cassava, enjoy traditional cuisine , and stay in traditional stilt houses. These simple experiences leave a lasting impression, making many tourists, especially international visitors, remember and return.

For Mr. Dinh Quang Chuong, preserving the soul of Dang Muong is not only the responsibility of an artisan, but also a way to contribute to creating a sustainable foundation for community tourism development. As folk melodies continue to resonate in daily life, the preserved heritage becomes a thread that attracts tourists, helping Muong culture shine amidst the flow of integration.

According to Article 4 of the Law on Heritage: "Vietnamese cultural heritage is a precious asset of the Vietnamese people, a part of the cultural heritage of humanity, and plays a great role in the nation-building and national defense of the people. The State represents the owner and uniformly manages cultural heritage owned by the entire people; recognizes and protects cultural heritage under private and common ownership as prescribed by the Constitution, this Law, and other relevant laws."

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