In the mesmerizing mountains of Binh Lieu, the Tày people passionately perform their traditional Then singing.

The Tày people residing in the highlands of Binh Lieu, Quang Ninh, boast a rich cultural heritage, notably their profound art form known as Then singing, which holds deep significance in the lives of the community.

Immersed in the mountainous region of Binh Lieu, one cannot help but be enchanted by the soulful melodies of the Tày people's Then singing.

The Tày ethnic group makes up 55% of the total population in the district. Visitors to any village or household of the Tày people in Binh Lieu are treated to the distinctive tunes of Then singing, a traditional art form deeply intertwined with the spiritual rituals of the Tày, Nùng, and Thái ethnic groups.

Then singing is a form of using melodies to depict the journey of the Then spirits carrying offerings to the heavens, symbolizing the human desire for blessings and goodness in the earthly realm. Essential musical instruments for performing Then singing include the tính tảu bamboo flute, the then drum, and the khấu gong, which are inseparable from the performance itself.

With solemn melodies and poignant lyrics, Then singing narrates the various stages of the journey undertaken by the Then spirits: from urgent and hurried movements to serene pauses along the way, from earnest supplications to crossing tumultuous seas.

Each chapter, each passage in the Then songs (referred to as 'không' and 'khái') takes the audience on a journey into a new world, harmonized with the sound of the tính tảu bamboo flute by the performers, known as the 'bà then' or 'ông then'.

Nighttime Then singing serves as a spiritual therapy for the sick, instilling belief, upliftment, love for life, and love for others in every participant. Hence, the Tày people have a saying: 'Long sick nights, short Then singing nights', indicating that Then singing helps people forget worries, anxieties, illnesses, and suffering.

The melodies of Then songs are intertwined with every Tày person from womb to tomb, constituting an integral part of their spiritual life. Nowadays, new Then songs are composed by artisans, incorporating authentic and relatable aspects of life into each piece, making them more readily accepted by the public.

Then singing in Binh Lieu, like many other places, follows the 7-word verse form, with each line conveying auspicious meanings, wishing for good fortune in life. While the Then songs of Lang Son are gentle and delicate, and those of Ha Giang emphasize every detail, Binh Lieu's Then songs have their own distinct characteristics, differing in tonal range and melody due to regional pronunciation variations.

Binh Lieu's Then songs are often simple, whispering heartfelt sentiments to the listener, lacking the musical complexity found in other regions. For the Tày people, Then is poetry, a profound form of expression. Then singing is indispensable for guests visiting homes or during housewarmings. There are many themes in Then songs, such as praising the homeland, love between couples, family bonds, and songs about Uncle Ho...

Many Then works in Binh Lieu still possess strong vitality, including those associated with the resistance against America (Contemplating the Chang Vằn Tac Mỹ – Reflections during the days of fighting the Americans, Then Drama: Ăn Cương Téng Nả – The mirror reflecting the face...), reflecting the socialist construction efforts in the North (Cùn Khảu – Harvesting rice, Éo Nọong – Lulling the child...), and later numerous works praising the homeland of Binh Lieu (Lằm Tàng Phiêng Lèo – Binh Lieu's path, Phiêng Lèo Túi Mấu – Binh Lieu's renewal...).

Then singing not only allows people to express emotions of sadness, joy, anger, and resentment but also serves to demonstrate love for the homeland and country, becoming an effective means of propagating the Party's policies with high efficiency as it easily resonates with people.

Currently, Then singing in Binh Lieu has become a unique tourism product. Visitors to Binh Lieu have the opportunity to learn about various aspects related to Then singing, bamboo flutes, and enjoy performances by the Tày people of Binh Lieu.

From a form of ritualistic expression, Then melodies are now being developed into a strong spiritual tourism asset. This highlights the importance and enduring vitality of Then singing. Consequently, Then singing has been recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, preserved diligently by the Tày people of Binh Lieu.

As per Mytour

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook