Connect the power supply circuit.

For over three decades, Master Artisan Ma Van Truc has dedicated himself to the art of Then singing and Tinh playing, diligently practicing, teaching, and persistently crafting musical instruments, contributing to the preservation of the cultural essence of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. From Hon village, Phuc Loc commune, the sound of his instruments still resonates, connecting the traditional source with the rhythm of life today.

Artisan Ma Van Truc and the musical instrument he crafted.

The music made from soap boxes and the journey to then

In the afternoon in Hon village, the sound of the zither resonates softly, like the wind rustling through the mountain slopes. Inside a neat stilt house, a tall, thin man with bright eyes is meticulously adjusting the strings. He is the distinguished artist Ma Van Truc, a son of Na Cha village, Vi Huong commune, Bach Thong district (formerly Bac Kan province). Born in 1979, he grew up amidst a cultural space rich in the melodies of then, luon phong slu, luon coi, and luon nang oi.

Meritorious Artist Ma Van Truc recounts that, as a child, every time he heard the Cao Bang and Bac Thai radio stations playing then music, his heart would race. At that time, his family was struggling financially and didn't have a musical instrument. At twelve years old, young Truc used a soap box as a soundbox and nylon strings as the strings of a then instrument. The sounds were quirky, but enough to fuel a dream. In 1990, from that passion, he began to teach himself to play the then instrument and sing then songs.

A year later, he sought out the then singer Nguyen Dinh Tich, then Nguyen Dinh Kim, to learn more systematically. Each then verse, each rhythm, was passed down through memory, practice, and the perseverance of the learner. He said, in a slow voice: "Singing then requires not only technique, but also an understanding of spirituality, customs, and the language of one's own people."

In 1996, he began participating in amateur art festivals at the district, provincial, regional, and national levels. From small stages in villages to large festivals, his playing of the zither gradually became known to the public. For thirty-five years practicing the Then tradition, Meritorious Artisan Ma Van Truc is not only a performer, but also simultaneously fulfills three roles: performer, teacher, and creator. In every aspect, he dedicates his heart and soul.

He can skillfully perform the ancient then melodies of many localities; singing luong phong slu, luong coi, luong nang oi, pun lan, xa xa gia hai, shi giang… Each melody has its own unique character and cultural space, requiring the artist to memorize the lyrics and deeply understand the context, rituals, and sentiments of the community embedded within it.

Besides preserving the original lyrics, he also collected and composed new lyrics suitable for contemporary life: "The Then Song, the Melody of Ba Be Lake," "Gratitude to Teachers, Gratitude to Uncle Ho," "Our Village is Renewed"... These Then songs still retain the traditional melody but carry the spirit of the times, reflecting the changes in his homeland and country. The performance "Our Village is Renewed" won the A prize at the 6th National Then Singing and Dan Tinh Art Festival in Ha Giang in 2018. The performance "Gratitude to the Party, Following the Party" won the Gold Medal at the 15th National Assembly Election Propaganda Competition. This is well-deserved recognition for a persistent artistic journey.

Distinguished artisan Ma Van Truc teaches Then singing and Tinh lute playing at the Binh Phuoc province's folk culture training course, 2025.

But when asked about awards, he just smiled gently; what preoccupied him more was the instrument. In 1990, he taught himself how to craft the đàn tính (a type of Vietnamese stringed instrument). About a decade later, he began producing them in larger quantities to serve the needs within and outside the province. He carefully selected the wood for the neck, soundboard, and body of the instrument as if choosing a "soulmate." The sound had to be round, resonant, sufficiently deep, and sustain long enough.

For him, a good instrument is not just about its appearance but also about its "soul." The zither bearing the brand name Ma Van Truc (Trung Truc) was certified OCOP 3-star in 2022. His instruments have been sold in many provinces and cities, from Binh Phuoc, Dak Lak, and Tay Ninh to Hanoi and Cao Bang, and even to international customers. According to him, an instrument must have a soul; if an instrument lacks a soul, it's difficult for the singer to truly connect with the spirit.

For this craftsman, passion is inseparable from responsibility. Each instrument that leaves the workshop is both a handcrafted product and a part of the heritage being passed on.

Keeping the "traditional flame" alive amidst modern life.

In 2013, Mr. Ma Van Truc resigned from his job at the former Bac Kan Provincial Cultural Center and returned to his hometown to devote himself entirely to Then singing. At his home, he opened a class to teach the art, and also taught at schools in the area, such as Banh Trach Primary School and Nam Mau Secondary School.

His students ranged from seven or eight years old to over sixty. He taught them each rhythm, each emphasis, each melodic embellishment. Initially, they played the instrument clumsily and sang imperfectly. He said that learning then music required patience, like sowing rice seedlings in a field, carefully tending to each detail.

Master craftsman Ma Van Truc performs with his students.

In 2022, the "Echoes of Nam Pe" Club was established according to Decision 1620/QD-UBND of the People's Committee of Bac Kan province (formerly), bringing together 20 members who share a passion for then music, with him as the chairman. From the stilt house, the sound of the then instrument gradually spread throughout the community. He always believes that heritage only truly lives when it is connected to life.

Over the years, he has participated in festivals, cultural events, and performances in Ha Giang, Bac Giang, Phu Tho, Tuyen Quang, Dien Bien, Quang Nam, Lam Dong, and other provinces, with programs such as "Northwest Unconscious Night," "Indigenous Unconscious Night," etc. Each trip serves as an opportunity to promote the Tay and Nung folk singing traditions while also opening up new approaches to this heritage.

Then - the Tinh lute is not only a folk performing art but also embodies the long-standing knowledge, customs, and beliefs of the Tay and Nung people. Amidst the modern pace of life, where commercial music dominates, preservation becomes increasingly difficult. However, he believes that if the melodies are introduced into schools, linked to community tourism, and the lyrics are modernized based on ancient tunes, the traditional values ​​will continue to be nurtured.

As evening falls in Hon village, the haunting sound of the zither resonates, drawing children together to listen, while the elderly gently nod along to the rhythm. For over thirty years, Master Ma Van Truc has dedicated himself to the then folk art, receiving numerous medals, certificates of merit, and commemorative awards for his contributions to Vietnamese folk arts. But for him, the most meaningful reward is seeing his students confidently stand on stage, playing the zither and singing. Amidst the vast forests of Thai land, that sound continues to flow tirelessly like an inexhaustible stream.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202602/noi-mach-nguon-then-32f412a/