Young people preserve the Hmong flute.

Beneath the low-lying wooden houses nestled on the cloud-covered slopes of Son La's highlands, the sound of the Hmong flute has for generations been a connecting thread between the soul of the mountains, the forests, and the hearts of the people. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the digital age, where electronic sounds are gradually overshadowing traditional instruments, there are still young people who, with their passion and dedication, persevere to keep the sound of the Hmong flute echoing forever.

Young people play the flute to entertain tourists at A Chu Homestay.

For the Hmong people, the flute is not just a simple musical instrument. It's a confidant, a source of comfort in times of joy and sorrow. The sound of the flute is the voice of the heart, expressing thoughts, feelings, and admiration for those they cherish. However, in today's modern life, young people are engrossed in modern music, smartphones, and new entertainment trends, causing the sound of the flute to gradually fade in the villages.” These sincere words from Thào A Tùng, an actor from the Music and Dance Theatre of the Provincial Cultural and Sports Center, made us understand and admire young people like him who are still diligently keeping the “flame” of passion for traditional musical instruments alive.

With a passion for traditional musical instruments, especially the Hmong flute, and having received formal training at the Military University of Culture and Arts, Thào A Tùng is a prime example of the young Hmong people who not only possess a deep understanding but also talent and enthusiasm for folk performing arts. Having been involved in the arts for many years, Thào A Tùng has also become a source of inspiration for young people, directly participating in teaching flute playing techniques to Hmong flute groups and clubs throughout the province. As a result, the image of Gen Z young men and women engrossed in playing the bamboo flute is becoming increasingly common. For these young people, playing the flute is no longer just a duty to preserve culture, but a voluntary act, a source of pride for those born in the mountains and forests.

CBL Sáo Mông, from the Provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, performed at an event organized by the Son La Provincial Youth Union.

Visiting the Provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, the cradle of education for children of ethnic minorities in Son La, we had the opportunity to meet and chat with young people from the Mong Flute Club. This is a place where the passion for the traditional bamboo flute is maintained, practiced, and spread by the students, fostering a love for this typical cultural form of their ethnic group. Vu A Hoang, the team leader of the Mong Flute Club, shared: "The boarding school environment is also a favorable condition for the club to practice daily and exchange ideas regularly to improve together. Currently, our club has 66 members, mainly playing bamboo flutes and some other wind instruments of the Mong ethnic group. Whenever we have the chance, the members take the flute to perform everywhere, introducing the pride of our ethnic group to our friends."

Driven by their passion for the Hmong flute, many young people in tourism-developed areas have been turning their passion and talent into a way to both promote culture and earn extra income. Giang A Ky, a 12th-grade student at Van Ho High School, has been learning to play the flute since childhood, mastering various flute techniques, varying the timbre to suit different melodies, and constantly learning to improve his skills in performing both traditional and modern flute pieces. Currently, Ky is like a young "artist" invited to perform every weekend at the Moc Chau pedestrian street and night market, A Chu Homestay, and other popular tourist destinations.

Giàng A Kỷ, a student at Vân Hồ High School, has a passion for playing the flute.

Speaking about her passion for the bamboo flute, Ky confided: "For me, the flute has been a close friend since childhood. All my joys, sorrows, and feelings can be expressed through its sound. I and three friends often perform for tourists. This work helps me earn extra income to cover my studies and gives me joy in meeting tourists from all over, especially foreign tourists, and in introducing the beauty of the Hmong ethnic culture to everyone. Currently, many children in my village are also learning and passionate about playing the flute."

From these young people, the love for the bamboo flute has quietly spread, igniting passion in those around them. The responsibility for preserving the traditional culture of the nation is also awakened in the hearts of the younger generation, a successor generation rich in enthusiasm, talent, and knowledge for integration and development, elevating culture to a new level and making the sound of the Hmong flute soar higher, shining brightly in the spirit of the times.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/nhung-nguoi-tre-gin-giu-tieng-sao-mong-uleEktDDg.html