Every year when Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival knocks on the door of the villages, H’mong people often celebrate festivals, when young men and women dress in colourful clothes and gather together to celebrate the spring. The festivals also provide an occasion for young H’mong ethnic men to confess their sentiment to the ladies they love.

A panpipe playing performance at a cultural festival of ethnic groups in Xuan Lap Commune, Lam Binh District.

For H’mong ethnic men, ‘khen’ playing and dancing not only helps them to express their feelings but also to show off their talent. The ones who master playing ‘khen’ give instructions to the newbies.

Making a beautiful panpipe which can produce beautiful sounds requires a lot of technique and careful selection of material. Young H’mong men can play and make a panpipe by themselves if they receive proper instruction.

Melodies of the panpipe not only represent the cultural identity of H’mong ethnic tribes but also establish a unique tourist product to attract visitors.