Khuon Then preserves Cao Lan cultural identity

In Khuon Then Village, Hung Duc Commune, amid a rapidly changing way of life, one can still hear a distinctive sound that has remained an enduring part of the community - the unique cultural heritage of the Cao Lan people. Sometimes melodious, sometimes exchanged between singers, these songs not only create a lively atmosphere during community cultural activities but also preserve the memories, customs, and spirit of a community that has been closely connected to this land for generations.

The rural road in Khuon Then winds through lush green rice fields, reflecting the simple and peaceful life of the Cao Lan people.

Khuon Then Village is currently home to 178 households, with the Cao Lan accounting for around 60 percent of the population. To prevent traditional cultural values from fading away, local people have maintained a Sinh Ca singing club with 30 members. It is a place where people who love Cao Lan folk songs meet, practice, and exchange performances, and, more importantly, pass down traditional melodies to younger generations.

Through the ways traditional clothes are worn and headscarves are tied, the beauty of Cao Lan traditional attire is passed down from one generation to the next.

During club gatherings, members not only sing but also tell younger generations about the meanings behind each Sinh Ca song, as well as traditional dances and activities such as throwing ‘con’, catching small fish and shrimp, the ‘chim gau’ dance, clearing fields, and sowing seeds. They also share customs, traditions, and distinctive aspects of Cao Lan life. Older members serve as the “torchbearers,” patiently passing on their knowledge, while younger people embrace it with enthusiasm and pride in their roots.

A gathering of the Khuon Then Village Sinh Ca Club, where members practice and exchange traditional songs.

The traditional seed-sowing activity on the upland fields is recreated through simple movements, recalling the traditional working life of the Cao Lan people.

Alongside agricultural and production activities, Sinh Ca songs continue to be sung amid modern life, serving as a bond connecting generations. Every song sung today is not only a continuation of the past but also an affirmation of the community’s commitment to preserving its ethnic cultural identity while building a new life.

Through books and stories passed down over time, older members help younger generations gain a deeper understanding of Cao Lan melodies, customs, and traditional cultural practices.

Residents of Khuon Then Village work together to improve their surroundings and develop the “Clean House – Beautiful Garden” model.

Nhu Quynh – Moc Lan