The deep indigo color returns by the lake.

Nearly a hundred years ago, the ancestors of the Dang family were the first Dao Tien people to set foot on the land of Phong Quang to clear the land and establish a village. Today, amidst the ancient village landscape by Nam Cat Lake, Dang Ung Cat, a third-generation soldier, still diligently travels back and forth on the roads, then quietly returns to his village to cherish the traditional dances, language, and costumes, contributing to the enduring presence of the Dao Tien people's indigo culture in contemporary life.

Mr. Dang Ung Cat, Director of the Ban Don Transport and Cultural Preservation Cooperative and Vice Chairman of the Phong Quang Commune Veterans Association, converses with club members.

Mr. Dang Ung Cat grew up in a family with a rich revolutionary tradition. His grandfather was a soldier during the resistance war against the French, his father joined the Youth Volunteer Force during the war to protect the northern border, and he himself became a soldier in the 246th Regiment, Military Region 1, during the years of peace.

After leaving the military in 2006, he made a living through various means, enduring long journeys on buses, and accumulating capital through his own hard work, perseverance, and the discipline of a soldier.

In February 2022, the Bản Đôn Transport and Cultural Preservation Cooperative was established. In the local language, "Bản Đôn" means a village of good fortune and prosperity, reflecting the aspirations of the Dao Tiền community here.

Starting with 16 members, the cooperative has now grown to 125 affiliated members, operating on the principles of voluntarism, cooperation, and mutual development for the benefit of the community. In his role as business manager, Mr. Cat effectively organizes and manages transportation operations. Fifteen vehicles and various machines, contributed by the members, have become a stable source of livelihood for many families.

From transporting forest and agricultural products to leveling construction sites, the cooperative has gradually expanded its market, creating regular jobs with an average income of 12-15 million VND/month for its members.

Mr. Nong Xuan Hung, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Phong Quang commune, commented: Mr. Dang Ung Cat has effectively played the role of a leader in organizing production, creating jobs and supporting the consumption of agricultural products, contributing to the stable development of the local economy .

Nestled amidst the vast forest, Nam Cat Lake, with a capacity of over 12 million cubic meters of water, is becoming a highly promising ecological space. According to the planning orientation for 2030, with a vision to 2045, this area will develop in the direction of ecotourism linked to cultural preservation, contributing to promoting sustainable socio-economic development. Recognizing this advantage, Mr. Cat determined that economic development must be linked to preserving the national cultural identity.

The traditional Bell Dance of the Dao Tien people was revived when the Ban Don Ethnic Culture and Sports Club was established to preserve and promote the cultural values ​​of the ethnic groups.

In 2023, the Bản Đôn Transport and Cultural Preservation Cooperative launched a project to preserve the Dao Tien culture. The Bản Đôn Arts, Sports and Cultural Preservation Club was established, attracting 77 members from the Dao Tien ethnic group in various villages within the commune. This has become a community space where traditional cultural values ​​are restored and passed on.

Ms. Ta Thi Duyen, from Ban Chieng village, said: "When I joined the cooperative, I had the opportunity to practice the Bell Dance again, learn the technique of painting beeswax on traditional costumes, and at the same time contribute to preserving the language and writing of my ethnic group. The economic life of my family is also more stable thanks to regular work."

From 2025 to the end of the first quarter of 2026, the Ban Don Transport and Cultural Preservation Cooperative is expected to achieve revenue of approximately 3.5 billion VND. This result demonstrates that the approach of combining economic development and cultural preservation is suitable for the local conditions.

In 2025, Mr. Dang Ung Cat was recognized as an outstanding veteran entrepreneur at the provincial level, acknowledging his efforts in production and contributions to the community.

Mr. Cat shared: "The transportation and land leveling construction sectors help us generate financial resources, but preserving ethnic culture is the sustainable future. The cooperative is continuing to expand its market, seeking contracts to maintain a stable income, aiming to build a Dao Tien cultural space associated with community tourism development in the Nam Cat lake area."

Amidst the vast forests of Phong Quang, veteran Dang Ung Cat steadfastly works with the local people to preserve traditional values, from the Bell Dance and the art of beeswax painting on indigo-dyed fabric to the spoken and written language of the Dao Tien people.

These quiet efforts are contributing to the awakening of cultural resources, creating a foundation for sustainable development. By Nam Cat Lake, the Pa Dung melody still resonates, like a bridge between the past and the present, between tradition and the future.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/net-dep-doi-thuong/202605/sac-cham-tham-lai-ben-ho-0987014/