Preserving the Soong Co singing tradition of the San Diu people

Soong Co, a national intangible cultural heritage of the San Diu people (2019), is a traditional call-and-response singing style with rich themes ranging from love stories to praises of homeland, labor, and daily life. Despite modern life’s fast pace, this unique melody continues to remind younger generations of their cultural roots.

Meritorious Artist Luc Van Bay, Ninh Phu village, Son Thuy commune, teaches young students traditional script.

In Ninh Phu village, Meritorious Artist Luc Van Bay preserves traditional San Diu cultural spaces, collecting, recording, and teaching Soong Co songs. He established the Soong Co Singing Club in Son Thuy Commune, now with 150 members, mainly young people. Meritorious Artists Do Thi Man and Luc Thi Tu actively teach songs while also passing on traditional handicrafts, cuisine, and clothing techniques.

Soong Co classes combine teaching the San Diu language to help students understand lyrics and sing accurately. Over the years, these classes have trained multiple generations, revitalizing the folk art and turning it into a cultural “ambassador” for the San Diu heritage nationwide.

Preservation efforts are also supported by elders and retired officials, such as Bang Van Vuong, who raise community awareness of traditional cultural values. As a result, local living standards have improved, children attend school fully, cultural family participation is high, and social vices have declined.

Today, safeguarding Soong Co goes beyond maintaining a folk music form; it strengthens community identity, connects generations, and demonstrates the enduring vitality of the San Diu cultural heritage.

Le Duy