Then heritage lives on

The former communes of Phuong Do, Phuong Thien and Phuong Tien, now part of Ha Giang 1 Ward and Thanh Thuy Commune, are widely recognized as the homeland of the Three-Phuong Tay community. Despite the passage of time, the melodies of Then singing and the sounds of the Tinh lute continue to resonate in daily life, preserving the ethnic group's cultural identity while supporting the development of community-based tourism.

According to local artisans, the Three-Phuong Tay community was formed by groups of Tay people migrating from different regions to settle at the foot of the Tay Con Linh mountain range. Although each group brought its own customs and dialects, they gradually blended into a unified cultural community. Within this shared heritage, Then singing and the Tinh lute have become enduring symbols of cultural identity and community cohesion.

Folk artisan Nguyen Van Chu, who has devoted decades to preserving and teaching Then, said that for the Three-Phuong Tay people, Then is far more than a traditional folk performance. It carries profound spiritual significance, expressing hopes for peace, abundant harvests and gratitude to nature. Its lyrics also convey moral values, including filial piety, family bonds and harmonious community relationships.

Today, more than 90 percent of local households continue to live in traditional stilt houses, providing an ideal environment for preserving and passing down indigenous culture. Veteran artisans have actively collected ancient Then melodies while teaching younger generations to play the Tinh lute and perform Then songs. Local folk clubs also maintain regular activities, helping bring the heritage closer to young people.

Alongside preservation efforts, traditional festivals such as Long Tong, Nang Hai, Khau Mau and Lau Then Bjooc Ma have been revived, creating vibrant cultural spaces for local communities. Villages including Tien Thang, Lam Dong, Tha, Ha Thanh and Tan Thanh are gradually developing community-based tourism linked to the conservation of Tay cultural heritage.

For both domestic and international visitors, the appeal of the Three-Phuong Tay region lies not only in its scenic landscapes and traditional cuisine but also in the enchanting melodies of Then echoing beneath the roofs of stilt houses, reflecting a living cultural heritage that continues to thrive in contemporary life.

Hoang Ha