Melodies of the Then echo in the Central Highlands. (Photo: VOV)

Then singing accompanied by the Tinh musical instrument is a unique folk art and also a popular cultural activity practiced by the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in the northwestern region of Vietnam.

This year’s festival featured 70 performances celebrating the homeland, love, good people who do good deeds, and daily life and production.

The Then singing and Tinh musical instrument club of Buon Ma Thuot city in Dak Lak province brought to the festival 5 performances. One of them expressed the thoughts of a mother praying for her daughter to have a happy married life.

“It took us a month to prepare for the performance. We were divided into groups and rehearsed 3 times a week,” said Luan Thi Mai, head of the club.

In Lam Dong province, where a large population of Tay and Nung ethnic people live, the art of Then singing and Tinh musical instrument has been popular for many years. Hoang Thi Kim, Vice Chairwoman of a Then singing club in Lam Ha district, said that people make up new lyrics for Then songs to match contemporary life.

“Every performance is exciting and meaningful. We got the opportunity to meet and get to know other Then artists who share our passion,” Kim said.

The highlight of this year’s festival was performances by young artists. 9-year-old Duong Bao Chau from Buon Ma Thuot city was the youngest participant.

“I love the melody of Then songs. I was taught to play the Tinh musical instrument by my grandmother. The lyrics and Then melodies make me happy. I also like performing on stage,” Chau said.

The first prize went to Buon Ma Thuot city’s Then singing club. There were also two second prizes and three third prizes. Although many Then songs now have new lyrics, they still embody the soul of Then singing.

(Photo: VOV)

“The performances were interesting and diverse in content and style. We hope the festival will encourage the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic minorities to preserve and develop Then singing as a tourism product to draw more visitors and improve the local economy,” Pham Thi Hai Binh, the festival’s deputy chief organizer, said.