The folk melodies will forever resonate.

BAC NINH - In many rural areas of Bac Ninh province, the image of women passionately practicing, teaching, and performing distinctive folk songs has become familiar. Through perseverance and a deep love for traditional culture, they have been contributing to the preservation of heritage, making each sound of their homeland more vibrant in contemporary life.

The song that preserves the soul of the homeland.

Then singing and Tinh lute playing are unique folk art forms of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. In Mo Se village (Truong Son commune), the women are striving to bring the melodious sound of the Tinh lute to life, blending it with the gentle and profound lyrics of Then singing, conveying their faith in the source of heaven and earth. Established in 2019, the Mo Se Village Then Singing Club started with only 15 members, but has now grown to 34 members; they meet regularly every Sunday, not only to hone their skills but also to participate in cultural programs and exchanges with other groups. At the First Then Singing and Tinh Lute Festival in 2025 organized by Bac Ninh province, the club won the C prize overall and A and B prizes for individual performances.

People's Artist Nguyen Thi Them (second from the right) and Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Sang (third from the left) introduce Quan Ho culture to foreign tourists.

Ms. Vi Thi Kim, the club's chairperson, shared: "Many young people today don't speak the local dialect, so teaching Then singing is challenging. However, with perseverance, I and the members continue to guide the children at home and create opportunities for them to perform in real-life shows to learn more. Through this, we help the younger generation become more attached to and responsible for preserving the beautiful cultural traditions of their homeland."

In Thien Duc Quan Ho village (Trung Kenh commune) - one of 150 villages practicing Quan Ho - the Quan Ho cultural space is vibrant every weekend. The Thien Duc Quan Ho Practice Club has more than 40 members, mostly women. Some are still working, others are busy taking care of their children and grandchildren, but almost everyone arranges their work to come to the village's cultural center to participate in the club's activities. Ms. Nguyen Thi Loan, the head of the Thien Duc Quan Ho Practice Club, said: "Gathering women to participate in activities not only preserves the traditional folk melodies of our homeland but also creates a healthy cultural space, strengthening community bonds. The club always welcomes women with open arms, so that Quan Ho truly becomes a connecting thread, enriching spiritual life and contributing to preserving the local cultural identity."

Each club member is assigned specific tasks, from lead singing and collecting melodies to preparing performance costumes. They are well aware of their responsibilities, with senior members diligently guiding juniors. As a result, most members are now proficient in dozens of Quan Ho melodies and have a thorough understanding of the lifestyle, organization of singing sessions, costumes, food , language, and friendship customs of the Quan Ho people.

Spreading and preserving the art of our homeland.

According to statistics, the province currently has more than 5,000 cultural, artistic, and sports clubs with the participation of women members. Notable examples include the Quan Ho singing clubs in Tien Du commune, Luong Tai commune, and Kinh Bac ward; the Ca Tru singing clubs in Yen Phong commune and Cao Duc commune; the Cheo singing clubs in Tan Yen commune, Lang Giang commune, and Que Vo ward; the Tuong singing club in Yen Phong commune; and the Then and Soong Co singing clubs in Phuong Son ward, Luc Ngan commune, and Truong Son commune…

Women in Phuong Son ward pass on the art of Soong Co singing to the younger generation.

Many of these clubs have female members, accounting for 80-90%. They are talented women with a deep understanding of the Quan Ho folk singing tradition, including the art of preparing betel leaves, offering tea and betel nuts, and cultural etiquette. They are also skilled performers of Cheo, Tuong, Soong Co, Ca Tru, and Then singing, knowledgeable about the legends and lyrics, and deeply committed to preserving the ancient heritage of their ancestors. They always arrange their work and family lives to have time for regular practice and activities. Many older women and artisans have been patiently passing on their singing skills and musical instrument playing techniques to their children and the next generation.

The clubs regularly participate in cultural exchanges with each other, bringing traditional folk melodies to the public. With passion and enthusiasm, the members have contributed to preserving these traditional melodies, keeping them vibrant and connected to contemporary life, attracting the attention of tourists and locals alike.

Recognizing the efforts and dedication of female members in preserving and promoting the value of traditional folk songs, many women have been awarded the titles of Outstanding Artisan and People's Artisan. One of them is People's Artisan Nguyen Thi Sang (Kinh Bac ward), who tirelessly performs, teaches, and collects and preserves artifacts and documents related to the history and culture of Quan Ho folk singing. She believes: "As long as I have my health, I hope to continue contributing and doing meaningful things to pass on and spread the value of the Quan Ho heritage."

Comrade Tran Thi Xuan Thu, Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, stated: "Women in Bac Ninh province have become a core force in the journey of preserving, nurturing, and spreading the melodies of our homeland. From Quan Ho clubs and grassroots performing arts groups to performances and exchanges within the community, these women not only keep the flame of tradition alive but also bring the beauty of Bac Ninh culture closer to tourists and the younger generation. The dedication, diligence, and love of culture in each woman have contributed to the enduring vitality of our homeland's folk melodies."

Nguyen Hoa

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/vang-mai-lan-dieu-dan-ca-postid437626.bbg