Preserving the traditional dances of the Cao Lan people

At the Song Linh Communal House Festival held on February 19 (the third day of the Lunar New Year 2026) in An Tuong Ward, Tuyen Quang Province, the “shrimp scooping” dance performed by the Cao Lan Cultural Preservation Club of Song Linh residential quarter left a strong impression on visitors.

The “shrimp scooping” dance performed by club members at the Song Linh Communal House Festival.

Known in the Cao Lan language as “soc cong,” the dance vividly recreates the traditional practice of catching fish and shrimp for daily meals. With expressive and rhythmic movements, the performance reflects the community’s deep connection to labor and agricultural life. According to the club’s representatives, the piece was carefully rehearsed ahead of the festival. Alongside other traditional dances such as the bird dance, seed-sowing dance and field-clearing dance, the shrimp scooping dance is commonly featured at major festivals and important cultural events of the Cao Lan people.

Founded in 2014, the Cao Lan Cultural Preservation Club of Song Linh residential quarter currently has 24 members ranging in age from eight to 60. Despite generational differences, all members share a passion for safeguarding their ethnic heritage. Participants are taught traditional folk songs, dances, costume practices and long-standing customs, helping to ensure that these cultural values are passed down to younger generations.

Beyond serving as a cultural and artistic gathering space, the club also plays a key role in raising awareness among families about preserving their native language, traditional attire and positive customs. Many households have two or even three generations actively involved, creating a ripple effect throughout the community.

Local artisans note that Cao Lan traditional dances are deeply rooted in daily labor activities, making preservation efforts not only a means of safeguarding cultural identity but also an important way to educate younger generations about their origins. Through the club’s activities, traditional cultural values continue to be nurtured and promoted, enriching spiritual life and strengthening ethnic pride within the Cao Lan community in the locality.

Huyen Linh