Completely devoted to Don Ca Tai Tu (traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music).

Distinguished artist Nguyen Tinh (real name Nguyen Thanh Tinh), residing in Nga Bay ward, Can Tho city, was born into a family of traditional artists and learned to sing Cai Luong (traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music) from a young age. To this day, he remains wholeheartedly dedicated to the heritage of Cai Luong.

Three generations of the family of distinguished artist Nguyen Tinh joined together to perform traditional Vietnamese folk music during a club meeting.

Build a solid foundation for your passion.

Every 5th of the month, the house in the alley in Zone 18, Nga Bay Ward, comes alive with the sounds of music and singing. This is the meeting place of the Southern Traditional Music Club of Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tinh. Some members live as far as 20km away, yet they diligently attend regularly. When they meet, they sing the opening songs Nam Xuan and Luu Thuy Truong, and when they leave, they sing a section of Truong Tuong Tu, and everyone feels happy.

Around 2004, Mr. Tinh established the club, initially with only acquaintances from the neighborhood and family. Gradually, more people learned about it and came to socialize and learn to play music. Each person had their own profession: farmers, factory workers, housewives, traders, even teachers and civil servants… and so the club expanded. Now, each meeting attracts 20-30 members.

In the early years, it wasn't easy to find people who could play a variety of instruments. Without a teacher, it would be difficult to sustain the club in the long run, so Tinh decided to teach himself. While his father was still alive, he learned to play the guitar and the two-stringed fiddle from him, then sought out teachers to learn other instruments. Thanks to his talent and continuous practice, he could play everything from the kìm, cò, sến, concave-fretted guitar, độc huyền cầm, flute, to the violin. He diligently devoted his efforts to the club.

Many members call Mr. Tinh "master." Of the more than 70 people he has mentored, many have been able to make a living from it. Ms. Le Thi Hue, from Dai Hai commune, Can Tho city, recounted: "I've been studying at the club for two years now. Initially, I only knew how to sing traditional Vietnamese folk songs from YouTube. Thanks to Mr. Tinh and the other members of the club, I learned the techniques, sing in rhythm, and more beautifully. Now I get invited to sing in many places, and I can make a living. Mr. Tinh often says that when life is stable, the passion for singing and playing musical instruments becomes stronger."

This is one of the two traditional music clubs in Nga Bay ward that operate systematically and regularly. Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of the Nga Bay Ward People's Committee, stated: "The club is not only a place to practice singing and playing musical instruments, but also acts as an extension of our efforts in promoting traditional music. For example, as Nga Bay ward is developing tourism, Mr. Tinh and the members compose many pieces about the beautiful scenery of the seven rivers and the strengths of garden tourism. This is a way for traditional music to spread and connect with life."

To fund the expansion of his business, Mr. Tinh collaborates with tourist attractions and resorts to provide traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performances upon request. As for the family business, he and his wife divide their time managing it, working together with his siblings to make arrangements.

Three generations passionate about traditional music and singing.

Tình's father used to be with the Kien Giang 1 Cai Luong Troupe (formerly Kien Giang province, now An Giang), and his mother was also a singer for the troupe. From a young age, Tình and his five siblings listened to the rhythmic clappers, the zither, the sound of their father's stringed instruments, and their mother's melodious singing.

Distinguished artist Nguyen Tinh confided: "Seeing my parents' hardships, I tried my best to study, because I thought that no matter how passionate I was, I had to learn a proper profession. After graduating, I worked in the police force for about 10 years, but then chose to switch to business and wanted to dedicate more time to traditional Vietnamese music. Before he passed away, my father instructed my siblings and me to try to preserve the tradition of music and singing, so now the whole family is doing what he did."

He and his wife met through shared interests and became deeply devoted to each other because of their shared passion for Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera). He even became his wife's "unintentional mentor," teaching her the art of Cai Luong. Ms. Tran Ngoc Hieu, wife of the distinguished artist Nguyen Tinh, shared: "We get along well in everything from work and household matters to music and singing. They say even dishes in the cupboard clatter, and there are bound to be occasional disagreements, but our passion and music and singing help to strengthen our family."

Of their three sons, the middle one, in sixth grade, can sing many traditional folk songs and confidently accompanies his father to performances, competitions, and festivals. Although he still has a long way to go in his training, everyone is happy to have another generation keeping the flame of traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music alive. Nguyen Tran Thien Qui, son of Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tinh, said: "I've been able to sing traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music since I was five years old. I've also won awards at festivals and competitions. I love it, so my father taught me; my parents didn't force me to sing."

Mr. Nguyen Tinh was recognized as an Outstanding Artisan in 2022 and has now completed his application to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for recognition as a People's Artisan. His wife is currently being considered for the title of Outstanding Artisan. At 46 years old, with nearly 40 years dedicated to traditional Vietnamese music, Outstanding Artisan Nguyen Tinh continues to tirelessly keep the flame alive and pass on the art of Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera) in his locality. For him, Cai Luong has become a part of his life.

Text and photos: HOANG NGUYEN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/tron-long-voi-don-ca-tai-tu-a205429.html