Those who preserve the soul of the nation's culture.

Distinguished artisan Hoang Van Chiem instructs students on how to play the Tinh lute.

In the early days of the new year, we visited Quynh Nhai commune to meet the distinguished artisan Hoang Van Chiem, who is highly respected and admired by the local people for his dedication and contributions to preserving the culture of the White Thai people. In his traditional stilt house, Mr. Chiem displays his zither-like instruments in the most prominent position.

Friendly and open, Mr. Chiêm welcomed us with a cheerful tune of the Tinh Tau (a traditional Vietnamese stringed instrument) celebrating the spring festival. Pausing to adjust the strings, he shared his passion for this traditional instrument: "For the White Thai people, the sound of the Tinh Tau, blended with the Then singing, is an indispensable spiritual nourishment, a bridge between humans and the gods and the earth. From a young age, I learned to play and craft the instrument. Even now, I am frequently invited to perform Tinh Tau and accompany many Then singers during major festivals, competitions, and cultural events. I also participate in Tinh Tau instruction classes and instrument crafting for young people."

Distinguished artisan Ban Van Duc teaches Dao Nôm script.

Meanwhile, in Van Ho commune, the distinguished artisan Ban Van Duc continues to diligently preserve and teach the Dao Nôm script and the customs and cultural traditions of the Dao ethnic group to the community. He has also made significant contributions to researching, documenting, and practicing the authentic ancient rituals of the Pung Hieng Festival (New Year's Eve), which was recently recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2025.

Proud of the recognition of his ethnic heritage, Mr. Duc expressed: "The recognition of the Púng Hiéng Festival as a national intangible cultural heritage is a great honor for our Dao Tien community. But with honor comes responsibility. I always remind myself to be a role model and actively encourage my fellow villagers to preserve the beautiful cultural traditions of our ethnic group. I frequently remind my children and grandchildren that no matter where they go or what they do, they must never forget their roots, their language, and their written language."

Distinguished artisan Hoang Van Chiem from Quynh Nhai commune shares his thoughts on the Tinh Tau lute.

Also during our New Year's journey, we visited the Moc Chau plateau. In the space filled with the white blossoms of plum trees in Pa Khen 3 residential area, Thao Nguyen ward, the haunting sound of the Hmong flute played by artisan Mua A Lu resonated, sometimes deep and majestic like the mountain cliffs, sometimes melodious like the wind of the vast forest. For Mr. Lu, the flute holds a strange allure; whether at home or in the fields, it is always with him like a close friend.

Holding the Hmong flute that has been with him for so many years, Mr. Lu shared: "The Hmong flute is closely linked to the daily life of the Hmong people, reflecting their spirituality and traditional beliefs; it is a sacred object in Hmong rituals and festivals. The sound of the flute has become a way for the Hmong people to convey and express their thoughts and aspirations."

Artisan Mùa A Lứ introduces the Hmong flute to the reporter.

Son La province currently has 2 People's Artisans and 27 Outstanding Artisans in the field of intangible cultural heritage of the ethnic groups: Thai, Mong, Dao, Khang, Kho Mu, La Ha, and Muong. They are active participants in preserving, maintaining, and transmitting traditional culture to the younger generation, making culture an attractive element for local tourism. From this, cultural heritage is promoted, becoming a valuable asset, enriching and beautifying local tourism products, and contributing to improving the economic lives of the communities.

With love and responsibility, artisans have been quietly weaving strong connecting threads, ensuring that the cultures of the ethnic groups in Son La are not only preserved intact but also shine brightly in this era of integration.

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