Those who practice and keep the flame of Dong Nai's folk culture alive.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still people quietly preserving the rituals, dances, and songs associated with the folk culture and beliefs of Dong Nai in particular, and Vietnam in general, such as the worship of the Mother Goddess, spirit mediumship, and traditional folk music.

From right to left, sisters Ngoc Nguyen and Thanh Mai practice singing traditional folk songs in Trang Dai ward (Bien Hoa city). Photo: L.Na

They quietly keep the flame of heritage alive, ensuring that the beauty of folk beliefs and art is preserved and passed down through generations.

Practicing the worship of the Mother Goddess

With 28 years of experience practicing the intangible cultural heritage of Mother Goddess worship, artisan Nguyen Hoai Thanh (residing in Huong Phuoc neighborhood, Phuoc Tan ward, Bien Hoa city) has devoted her heart and soul to learning, protecting, and promoting the value of this belief. Despite facing numerous difficulties, she regularly participates in ritual practices, contributing to the preservation of this unique Vietnamese cultural tradition.

According to artisan Hoai Thanh, she came to the Mother Goddess worship quite by chance. In 1990, she had the opportunity to meet the Distinguished Artisan Tran Thi Lieu (residing in Hanoi ), and directly witnessed the ritual practices. From then on, she decided to study under her. From 1998 to 2022, Ms. Hoai Thanh participated in practices at many temples throughout the country, and actively took part in competitions and festivals of Chau Van performances in many localities.

For her contributions, Ms. Hoai Thanh has been honored with numerous certificates and commendations both within and outside the province. These include: a certificate recognizing her as a Folk Artisan in 2016 from the Vietnam Folk Arts Association; a certificate of merit from the Central Association for the Development of Human Resources and Talents in Vietnam in 2020; a certificate recognizing her as a typical Southeast Asian spiritual and cultural artisan from the Organizing Committee of the International Economic and Cultural Integration Forum in 2022; and a commemorative medal for her positive contributions to the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese cultural and religious heritage from the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association in 2023...

Besides artisan Hoai Thanh, artisan Ho Thi Luong (residing in Trang Dai ward, Bien Hoa city) is also a prominent figure with 15 years of dedication to the Mother Goddess worship. Since childhood, she followed in the footsteps of previous artisans, listening to Chau Van singing, visiting temples and shrines throughout the country, and feeling the sacredness and majesty in each ritual. After a period of learning and honing her knowledge and skills, she began practicing the Mother Goddess worship in 2009.

According to artisan Ho Thi Luong, the Mother Goddess worship is very close to nature and the earth, and is linked to the fate of Vietnamese women. Through its formation and development, the Mother Goddess worship has evolved into the worship of the Three Realms and Four Realms. Therefore, during her 15 years of practice and thanks to her thorough understanding of the rituals and practices, she has successfully taught many people.

In addition to certificates, commemorative medals, and plaques honoring artisans, Ms. Ho Thi Luong was also awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations. In 2023, she was appointed Deputy Head of the Survey and Research Committee on Traditional Cultural Values ​​at the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations.

Along with Southern Vietnamese folk music, the Vietnamese belief in the worship of the Three Mother Goddesses has been recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This honor has deepened the awareness of the community and practitioners of this heritage, encouraging them to be more active in protecting and promoting its values.

Preserving and promoting traditional art.

Among the young people contributing to preserving and spreading intangible cultural values ​​in Dong Nai , we cannot fail to mention the two sisters Pham Ngoc Nguyen and Pham Thi Thanh Mai (residing in Trang Dai ward, Bien Hoa city).

Sharing her journey in pursuing the art of folk singing and performing, Ms. Thanh Mai said that at first glance it seems simple—just wear a beautiful ao dai, hold a drum, and sing—but only those who have learned know that singing correctly and playing the drums in rhythm is very elaborate. She learned from her mother (folk artist Dinh Thi Thanh Loan) from a young age, but it still takes a whole month to master a single song. This profession not only requires talent, but most importantly, a knack for it and a love for the craft to persevere in the long run.

“Bong Roi and Dia Nang are primarily performed during rituals at communal houses and temples. Therefore, the songs and dances associated with them express gratitude to ancestors, prayers for national peace and prosperity, and favorable weather. Performances usually take place during important festivals, attracting large crowds of people to attend and offer prayers. Through this, the art of Bong Roi and Dia Nang not only holds religious value but also contributes to preserving the national cultural identity,” shared Ms. Thanh Mai.

Besides her dedication to traditional Vietnamese folk singing, Ms. Thanh Mai is also passionate about Southern Vietnamese folk music (Don Ca Tai Tu), performing at many local cultural events and festivals. She regularly participates in provincial and regional festivals and competitions, winning numerous awards. Her most memorable achievement was winning first prize at the 2018 Dong Nai Provincial Folk Music and Cai Luong Singing Competition, organized by the Dong Nai Cultural and Film Center. This award further motivated her to continue preserving and promoting Southern Vietnamese folk music, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202506/nhung-nguoi-thuc-hanh-giu-lua-van-hoa-dan-gian-dong-nai-990111a/