Bac Ninh is home to the practice of Then singing, a traditional folk art form of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups, inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Members of the Luc Ngan Then singing and dan tinh (a traditional stringed instrument) club in Luc Ngan commune, Bac Ninh province, gather every Sunday afternoon.

In this land rich in cultural traditions, Then has been embraced by the community as a cherished cultural expression, enriching the province’s diverse heritage.

Breathing new life into Then

For the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Bac Ninh, Then has long been a familiar spiritual and cultural practice, closely tied to community life.

It is categorised into two forms: ritualistic Then, which preserves traditional spiritual elements, and recreational Then, adapted for artistic and cultural purposes.

Every Sunday afternoon, members of the Luc Ngan Then singing and dan tinh (a traditional stringed instrument) club gather at Cau Chet village’s cultural house.

Elderly members guide the young, while experienced singers support newcomers, all sharing the desire to preserve and pass on the melodies of Then.

According to Ha Thi Duong, vice head of the club, it was founded in 2011 by 11 dedicated members concerned about the risk of Then fading away.

Today, it has grown to nearly 60 members across three generations. Their activities not only keep Then alive in the community but also bring their melodies to wider audiences through festivals and competitions.

Among the younger members, Duong Thi Men nurtures her passion for Then by self-learning online and attending virtual classes. “Thanks to the club, I can perform, connect with others, and spread love for Then,” she said, adding that it’s both a joy and a source of pride to contribute to preserving this heritage.

Safeguarding and promoting values

Bac Ninh has long prioritised safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, including Then. Since 2004, the provincial cultural sector has conducted surveys, documentation, and inventories, identifying dozens of artisans and hundreds of practitioners.

Children learn Then singing and dan tinh (a traditional stringed instrument) at the Then singing and dan tinh club in Luc Ngan commune, Bac Ninh province.

This laid the groundwork for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to recognise Then as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2015.

In 2019, the practice of Then in several provinces, including Bac Ninh, was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Following this recognition, Bac Ninh rolled out comprehensive measures, including a master plan on safeguarding ethnic cultural heritage through 2030.

Training activities have expanded, with dozens of classes attracting nearly 200 learners. Several schools in Son Dong and Luc Ngan have included Then in music lessons and extracurricular activities.

The province now has 20 Then clubs that drive community engagement, while performances have been linked with community-based tourism, contributing to improved livelihoods for residents.

Artisans also receive attention and support. Two Then practitioners have been awarded the title of Meritorious Artisan and receive monthly allowances.

The provincial Department of Culture is drafting resolutions to preserve the heritage as well as provide financial assistance to artisans and clubs involved in UNESCO-recognised practices.

Nguyen Van Dap, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stressed that preserving Then requires collective efforts.

The province is expanding clubs, encouraging schools to include Then in their extracurricular activities, and integrating the heritage with tourism products, he stated.

The locality is promoting the application of technology, digitising documents, and producing videos and clips to introduce Then singing on social media platforms.

He underlined that Bac Ninh will continue to strengthen heritage management, comply with international conventions and national laws to ensure Then remains a living and sustainable cultural treasure.

Efforts exerted to preserve “Then singing” heritage

In addition to teaching and transmission, many localities have integrated Then into modern life. In Quang Ninh and Lang Son, community-based tourism featuring Then performances has provided livelihoods for local residents while supporting the preservation of this cultural heritage.

 

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