Exhibition of "Then singing and Tinh lute art of Tay, Nung, Thai ethnic groups in Dien Bien province" at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture

From November 16 to 18, 2024, within the framework of the 7th Festival of Then singing and Tinh musical instruments of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in 2024 taking place at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture Village, Dong Mo, Son Tay town, Hanoi city, Dien Bien Provincial Museum will display and exhibit thematically "Then singing and Tinh musical instruments of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in Dien Bien province".

“Then” is a long-standing cultural and religious practice of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Dien Bien province. It is an art form originating from daily life and associated with folk rituals such as: Kin pang then, Then praying for children, Then cap sac, Then giai han, Then praying for health, praying for luck... or in cultural and artistic exchanges. Displaying and exhibiting the art of Then singing and Tinh lute of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups is a meaningful activity, aiming to honor, preserve and promote the fine traditional cultural values of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in the unified and diverse culture of the community of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam; creating conditions to contribute to raising awareness and consciousness in preserving and maintaining national cultural identity, building and defending the Fatherland.

The exhibition includes 04 contents: Displaying images and artifacts introducing the economic , cultural and social achievements of the locality; Then singing art, Tinh lute of the Tay, Nung, Thai ethnic groups; publications, tourism products, Ocop products of Dien Bien province; performing and experiencing traditional handicrafts: Brocade weaving and Tinh lute making of the Thai ethnic group; Displaying, processing and introducing traditional cuisine of the Thai ethnic group; Displaying art photos with the theme "Cultural colors of ethnic groups in Dien Bien province"

Within the framework of the Festival, the Provincial Museum participated in the competition with 03 contents and all won A prize: Displaying images and artifacts introducing the economic, cultural and social achievements of the locality; Performing and experiencing traditional handicrafts; Displaying, processing and introducing traditional cuisine of the Thai ethnic group.

The exhibition attracted more than 4,000 visitors. The exhibition not only contributed to raising awareness and responsibility of all levels, sectors and all classes of people in the work of preserving and promoting national cultural identity; It was also an opportunity for artisans, actors, and ethnic Tay, Nung, Thai people to meet, exchange experiences, raise awareness and consciousness in preserving and promoting the cultural and artistic values of Then singing and Tinh traditional lute in the period of integration and development of the country. The display and exhibition were also an opportunity to preserve and promote the value of the Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on "Then practice of the Tay, Nung, Thai people in Vietnam" which was recognized by UNESCO on December 12, 2019 at the XIV Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of 2003.

In the context of integration and development, Dien Bien province has made significant changes in all economic - cultural - social - security - defense fields, economic life, social culture has gradually improved. Ethnic minorities in Dien Bien province have unique cultural features imbued with national identity, expressing the distinct values of the community. Then singing and Tinh lute are a type of intangible cultural heritage that has existed for a long time, passed down in social life and preserved through many generations. Currently, Then singing and Tinh lute are being cared for and promoted by the culture, sports and tourism sector.

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