Artisan Ha Ngoc Can performs Then rituals.

Then ceremonies describe a journey in which the Then master controls an army of ghost warriors travelling from earth to heaven to present items of worship and to pray for peace, good health, good crops and a happy new year.

Tuyen Quang Province is one of the cradles of traditional Then rituals as performed by the Tay people. In recent years, Tuyen Quang people in general and Tay people in particular have treasured and done their utmost to safeguard the heritage.

Many artisans in the province have devoted their whole lives to Then, such as Ha Thuan (Tan An Commune, Chiem Hoa District), Ha Ngoc Quang (Xuan Quang Commune, Chiem Hoa District) and Ma Van Duc (Tan Ha Ward, Tuyen Quang City). They are all well-versed in traditional Then practices and are teaching the traditions to the younger generations.

A performance of Then accompanied by a string instrument known as “đàn tính” in Trung Ha Commune, Chiem Hoa District.

Currently there are over 30 Then clubs in Chiem Hoa District and 10 clubs in Na Hang Districts, as well as several clubs on other districts, helping to create a cultural bridge between tradition and modernity.

UNESCO’s recognition of Then practices of the Tay, Nung and Thai people in Vietnam as intangible cultural heritage of humanity affirms Vietnam’s cultural diversity. Such an honour will also enable the people of Tuyen Quang to better safeguard traditional Then rituals.