“Then” is an essential ritual practice in the spiritual life of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic minority groups in the north of Vietnam. 

Performance of Then singing, Tinh gourd lute performance of the Tay ethnic group in Na Hang district, Tuyen Quang province.

Then singing in the cultural and spiritual life of Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups in the northern region is considered a "fairy song", the song of "Heaven". This folk performing art displays long-standing historical and cultural values. 

At the 14th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Bogota, Colombia, "Then practice of the Tay, Nung and Thai in Vietnam" was officially inscribed by UNESCO in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The practice of Then helps people overcome difficulties and obstacles in life, contributes to moral education and humane lifestyles, and preserves the positive lifestyles of the ethnic minority communities. 

Then ceremonies describe a journey in which the Then Master (male or female) controls ghost soldiers traveling from the earthly realm to the heavenly realm to offer items of worship and to present prayers for peace, treating illnesses, ensuring good crops, wishing for a happy new year, and more. 

Then rituals are always transmitted orally, reflecting succession between generations, and Then Masters play a key role in passing on the skills and know-how, with some conducting around 200 ceremonies a year. 

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Source: VNA