The "Encyclopedia" of the Dao ethnic group

Having dedicated half his life to researching, preserving, and transmitting the traditional cultural values ​​of the Dao ethnic group, People's Artisan Phung The Vy, a respected figure among the ethnic minority community in Thanh Cong village, Lang Cong commune (Song Lo district), possesses extensive knowledge and a thorough understanding of the origins, customs, and cultural identity of the Dao people. He is considered a "walking encyclopedia" of Dao culture.

People's Artist Phung The Vy always preserves and passes on the unique cultural features of the Dao ethnic group to the younger generation. Photo: Tra Huong

Mr. Phung The Vy is of Kinh ethnicity, but he has a deep connection with the Dao people. Mr. Vy is from Phu Tho province. As a child, he followed his parents to develop the economy in Lang Cong commune. At the age of 23, he married Ms. Phung Thi Kieu, a Dao woman from Thanh Cong village. From then on, he had the opportunity to directly experience Dao culture and appreciate the beauty and richness of their way of life and thinking.

In 1971, Mr. Vy enlisted in the Air Defense - Air Force. After the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, he was discharged and returned to his hometown, actively participating in social work.

Recognizing that the traditional cultural values ​​of the Dao ethnic group are in danger of gradually fading away and being lost due to the negative impacts of the market economy and integration trends, Mr. Vy is determined to preserve the traditional culture of the Dao people and pass it on to future generations.

Driven by his deep love for the Dao ethnic culture, Mr. Vy taught himself the ancient Dao script; he collected and read ancient books recording the origins, customs, and culture of the Dao people.

He sought out the elders in the village to inquire about the customs, traditions, and rituals that had been preserved for hundreds of years. After many years of research, Mr. Vy can now not only write and speak the Dao ethnic language fluently but also perform hundreds of traditional Dao courtship songs.

Mr. Vy serves as a shaman, regularly presiding over traditional rituals of the Dao people. Villagers often seek him out for answers to questions related to all aspects of life as well as traditional ethnic ceremonies.

Mr. Vy recorded his knowledge of Dao ethnic culture in ancient script and carefully preserved it. This is a valuable source of reference for research on Vietnamese ethnic groups.

In addition, Mr. Vy also opened classes to teach the Dao language to the younger generation, composed many poems and songs, and staged and performed short plays about the life of the Dao people. He has led the Dao ethnic group to participate in cultural and artistic festivals at the provincial, regional, and national levels many times, winning high awards; contributing to promoting the beautiful cultural features of the Dao people to friends and tourists throughout the country.

Mr. Vy actively encouraged villagers, especially the younger generation, to continue practicing traditional customs and practices of the ethnic group, such as ancestor worship, wedding ceremonies, funeral rites, coming-of-age ceremonies, and the New Year's dance; at the same time, he urged the elimination of outdated customs and the adoption of a new, civilized, and progressive way of life.

For his contributions to preserving, conserving, and promoting the Dao ethnic culture, in 2015, Mr. Phung The Vy was awarded the title of Outstanding Artisan in the category of Social Customs and Beliefs by the President of Vietnam . From 2019 to the present, he has been the only People's Artisan in the province in the field of intangible cultural heritage.

People's Artist Phung The Vy performs ceremonial rituals during the Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the Dao ethnic group in Thanh Cong village, Lang Cong commune (Song Lo district). Photo: Tra Huong

Through his understanding, talent, and dedication, Mr. Vy has infused beautiful sentiments and lofty human values ​​into every song and melody, aiming to change the perceptions of each and every citizen.

At the 11th Northeast Ethnic Minority Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival recently held in Lang Son province, Mr. Vy wrote the lyrics and performed the folk song "The Dao People's Gratitude to the Party and Uncle Ho".

The song includes the lines: “Once upon a time, our Dao people/Living here and there, cultivating fields/Thanks to the Party and Uncle Ho's teachings/We had to descend from the mountains to plant and cultivate/Everyone was peaceful and joyful/Children and grandchildren learned from Uncle Ho/The Dao people are grateful to the Party and Uncle Ho/With the Party and Uncle Ho, we have today...”.

With its melodious and evocative tunes, the meaningful lyrics express the gratitude of the Dao people to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. Thanks to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the Dao people today enjoy a prosperous and fulfilling life. The performance, composed and performed excellently by Mr. Vy, won the A prize at the festival, bringing pride to the people of Vinh Phuc province.

As an exemplary Party member, a respected figure among ethnic minorities, Mr. Vy is a shining example of self-learning, always upholding the spirit of preserving and promoting the fine traditional values ​​of the nation, arousing in each citizen a love for their homeland and country, creating motivation for the Dao ethnic people in particular, and the people of all ethnic groups in the province in general, to unite and work together to build a prosperous, beautiful, and civilized homeland and country.

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Source: https://baovinhphuc.com.vn/Multimedia/Images/Id/123196/%E2%80%9CTu-dien-bach-khoa%E2%80%9D-cua-dan-toc-Dao