Driven by a deep love for their ethnic folk singing, members of the Tinh Que Cultural Club (Khanh Vinh Commune) tirelessly preserve and pass down the melodies of Then singing. In doing so, they contribute to conserving traditional culture and keeping Then singing alive within community life.
United by Folk Melodies
One day in mid-September, we attended a gathering of the Tinh Que Cultural Club at the home of Ms. Hua Thi Tiep (Tay Khanh Vinh Commune), the club's head. Amid the peaceful mountain landscape, the verses of Then singing blended harmoniously with the sounds of the tinh lute, echoing familiar melodies deeply rooted in the cultural life of the Tay and Nung ethnic people.
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| A performance by the club members that won first prize at the Provincial Folk Singing Festival for the Elderly in 2026. |
Ms. Tiep shared that while participating in cultural and artistic programs across Khanh Vinh, she had the opportunity to meet many people who shared her passion for Then songs and the tinh lute. Drawn together by this mutual resonance, she began gathering members for regular meetings and practice sessions.
In 2023, the club was established with 8 members under the name Elderly Cultural Club, before being renamed the Tinh Que Cultural Club in October 2025. Currently, the club comprises 15 members aged 52 to 69, mostly from the Tay and Nung ethnic groups living in Khanh Vinh, Tay Khanh Vinh, and Bac Khanh Vinh communes. The club meets once every 3 months with practical activities. Following general club matters, the members practice Then melodies together. Ahead of competitions and cultural exchange events, practice sessions become even more lively and frequent.
Keeping the Melodies Resounding
According to Ms. Tiep, original Then lyrics from the northern region no longer fully suited local life after being brought to Khanh Hoa. Therefore, using traditional Then melodies as a foundation, she began composing new lyrics inspired by everyday life. These include stories about their homeland, country, and people; family affection, neighborly bonds, and the simple beauty of community life. To date, she has composed 15 Then songs. Through the voices of club members, these Then melodies are sung with fresh, relatable lyrics that breathe life into the local culture.
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| Driven by a deep love for their ethnic folk singing, members of the Tinh Que Cultural Club (Khanh Vinh Commune) tirelessly preserve and pass down the melodies of Then singing. In doing so, they contribute to conserving traditional culture and keeping Then singing alive within community life. |
Then singing is inseparable from the tinh lute and the jingling sound of shaker rattles. Therefore, once the lyrics are set, members practice together, fitting every line and adjusting each beat so the words blend seamlessly with the lute strumming and rattle rhythms. Throughout this process, Ms. Sam Thi Cham (Bac Khanh Vinh Commune) keeps time on the lute for the whole ensemble. Ms. Cham shared that from childhood, when she lived in Cao Bang Province, she was already familiar with Then singing. As she grew up, she actively participated in cultural and artistic activities. In 1990, when she moved to Khanh Binh Commune (now Bac Khanh Vinh Commune), she continued singing Then and began exploring and self-teaching the tinh lute until it became second nature.
The club's rehearsals take place in everyday, down-to-earth settings. Members sing while listening closely to one another to adjust their vibrato and phrasing, and rehearse accompanying dance moves. Session by session, each Then song is polished, ready to be performed at community gatherings and cultural exchanges.
Passing Down Cultural Beauty
Working during the day, members gather in the evening around the sounds of the tinh lute, Then songs, and folk dances. After a day of hard work, these moments become a cherished time to unwind and share their passion. To make their performances complete, the club also ordered traditional costumes to wear whenever they take the stage. For Ms. Hoang Thi Ky Huong (Khanh Vinh Commune), the club provides a space to connect, gather, and jointly preserve and promote their ethnic heritage on the soil of Khanh Hoa.
During their gatherings, members share and pass down their knowledge to one another. Ms. Cham guides members on playing the tinh lute; senior members teach newcomers vocal techniques, pitch modulation, diction, and dance movements. Through this perseverance, Then songs are passed down, helping keep the wellspring of cultural heritage flowing. Ms. Luong Thi Cuoi (Tay Khanh Vinh Commune) shared that after working in the fields all day, she makes time in the evening to join the group. The more she learns, the more captivated she becomes, striving to participate and dance alongside her peers in performances.
Leaving Khanh Vinh, we carried with us the lingering resonance of the tinh lute and the Then songs sung by women who are helping preserve and pass on the cultural heritage of the Tay and Nung peoples in Khanh Hoa. From these humble gatherings, their melodies rise so that traditional values continue to thrive in contemporary life.
Mr. TRAN CONG VIEN - President of the Association of the Elderly of Khanh Vinh Commune: The club not only provides a healthy playground and enhances the spiritual life of the elderly, but also contributes to preserving and transmitting the traditional cultural traits of the Tay and Nung ethnic people in the Khanh Vinh area. Over the past time, the association has regularly coordinated with local entities and authorities to create favorable conditions for the club to participate in competitions and cultural-artistic events, helping spread folk cultural values throughout the community. Through these contests, the club has earned numerous awards, including first prize in the trio category at the Provincial Folk Singing Festival for the Elderly in 2026.
CHAU TUONG
