Late one afternoon in Ta Phin, I sat and listened as he recounted his life story in his small classroom. In 1979, at the age of 29, a landmine accident cost him one hand and one eye. That shock seemed to close the door on his writing career, but it was this pain that spurred him to choose a new path: teaching the Dao Nôm script to the community.
Artisan Tan Van Sieu was honored to receive the title of People's Artisan in 2022.
Mr. Tan Van Sieu received a Certificate of Commendation from the Prime Minister for being an outstanding exemplary figure.
"Without this written language, we would lose everything. Losing literacy means losing our roots, losing the language of our ancestors."
People's Artist Tan Van Sieu shared:
The first class was held in 2003. Initially, there were only a few dozen students, but now an average of 60-70 people attend each year.
For over 20 years, more than a thousand students from former provinces such as Yen Bai, Thai Nguyen, and Lai Chau have attended. Notably, the class no longer discriminates between men and women as in the past, but is open to everyone, encouraging women to learn to read and write.
The class encourages women to learn to read and write.
His small wooden house served as both a classroom and a place to rest for his students who were far from home. He provided meals, accommodation, and treated them like his own children. In the middle of the vast forest, the sounds of students practicing calligraphy together made the Dao village even more vibrant.
Twelve-year-old Tan May Chiep, who has been attending the class since she was seven, shared: “Initially, I found learning the Dao Nôm script very difficult, but thanks to the teacher's patience in guiding me through each stroke, I can now read religious texts and understand many ancient stories of my ethnic group. I hope that in the future I will have the opportunity to teach it to younger children so that the Dao Nôm script will not be lost.”
Tẩn Mẩy Chiệp listens to Teacher Siêu's lecture.
Mr. Ly Phu Chiu, head of Ta Phin village, affirmed: "Artisan Tan Van Sieu is a shining example for our village. Despite having only one hand and one eye, he has persistently run literacy classes for over twenty years. Thanks to him, many generations of Dao people have learned to read and write, understood their culture, and become more proud of their heritage."
Besides teaching literacy, Mr. Sieu also compiled about 60 books in the Dao Nôm script, ranging from folk tales, rituals, and folk songs to literacy textbooks. This is an invaluable cultural asset that he painstakingly collected and systematized.
"I hope these books won't just remain in wooden chests, but will be widely distributed so that Dao people everywhere can learn and preserve their script," Mr. Sieu lamented.
Mr. Tan Van Sieu's steadfast journey has been affirmed by prestigious awards. In 2021, he was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister for his outstanding achievements in studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh – proving that preserving the Dao Nôm script is not only a cultural responsibility but also closely linked to community ideals. In 2022, Mr. Sieu was awarded the title of People's Artisan by the President – a valuable award recognizing a lifetime of dedication to the ancient script. In 2023, he was further honored as a national exemplary figure, receiving a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister. Three consecutive years, three major honors, serve as milestones that deeply engrave his name in the journey of preserving Dao culture.
Mr. Sieu reads and practices writing Dao Nôm script every day.
The awards are merely highlights in a long and tireless journey. The greatest value lies in the fact that the Dao Nôm script still resonates in the villages, is present in every handwritten book, and, above all, is still being passed on to the younger generation. In every stroke of the pen on the page, one can hear the heartbeat of belief: knowledge is not only for eradicating illiteracy, but also for preserving identity. And in Tả Phìn, teacher Tẩn Vần Siệu is a living testament to the spirit of preserving ethnic culture in today's era of integration.
Meanwhile, in Xuan Quang commune, the image of Mr. Dang Hong Khanh - a respected figure in the Dao community - is also a vivid testament to the journey of preserving the ethnic group's cultural heritage.
For over half a decade, he has persistently revived the Dao Nôm script, opening free classes and patiently teaching the people how to read and write.
Mr. Dang Hong Khanh teaches Dao Nôm script to students.
In 2019, Mr. Khanh started his first class. At that time, there were only a few students, mostly elderly people in the commune. He not only taught how to write, but also explained in detail the meaning of the Dao people's rituals and customs associated with the script. From a few initial students, he now has 23 students. Besides teaching, Mr. Khanh also spends his own money to copy, compile materials, translate Dao Nôm script into standard Vietnamese, print them as books, and give them to his students.
He confided, "I not only teach literacy, but I also personally pay to print books for them to take home. For me, preserving literacy is for my own benefit and to contribute to society. I am happy to see my students learn to read and write, and especially to see them passionate about learning."
For the students, the Dao Nôm script is not just a set of characters, but a key to unlocking a treasure trove of culture.
Mr. Ly Van Quang shared: “After learning the Dao Nôm script, I can teach it to my children and grandchildren. During the full moon of the seventh lunar month or the Lunar New Year, I can read the prayers, understand the meaning of each ritual of my ethnic group, and feel more confident representing my family and clan in traditional ceremonies.”
Indeed, writing has become a bridge, helping young people better understand their roots and fostering a sense of pride within the community.
For over half a decade, he has persistently run free classes teaching the Dao Nôm script, patiently guiding and teaching the local people.
Speaking about Mr. Khanh's efforts, Mr. Le Van Kien - Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Xuan Quang commune - affirmed: In the cultural development orientation for the period 2025-2030, the commune pays special attention to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Dao ethnic group. The Dao Nôm script classes initiated by Mr. Khanh will continue to be supported and expanded. The commune government also encourages the establishment of folk culture and arts clubs, opening more classes to teach traditional crafts, folk songs, and folk dances, thereby creating an environment for artisans and the elderly to pass on knowledge to the younger generation.
At over 70 years old, Mr. Khanh still perseveres with his pen and ink, meticulously copying each page of his handwritten books. For him, the Dao Nôm script is not only a means of communication but also the soul of his culture, a way to remind his descendants that his people have a proud heritage.
The passionate journey and dedication of artisan Tan Van Sieu in Ta Phin commune and Mr. Dang Hong Khanh in Xuan Quang commune are truly admirable. One has dedicated his life to transforming his wooden house into a classroom for thousands of students, while the other patiently teaches literacy to preserve the Dao Nôm script, instilling pride and preserving cultural identity in the younger generation. And it is from these small classrooms in the villages that the profound message of International Literacy Day (September 8th) is illuminated: "Knowledge is the key to unlocking the future and preserving the roots of the nation."
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhung-nguoi-cam-tay-chi-chu-post881549.html
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