Then words flow through the years

Then singing is a unique folk art form, combining lyrics and music. Then singing is often performed during major ceremonies such as praying for crops, praying for peace, Cap sac ceremonies, or during community activities. Each Then verse has a profound meaning, expressing the desire for a prosperous, happy life, a bountiful harvest, and a peaceful family.

People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong participates in teaching Then singing and Tinh lute to thousands of Then lovers.

Magical Then Hotpot

I have seen Lau Then of the Tay and Nung people in Thai Nguyen province many times. The same melody of the background song flows endlessly on the magical sound of the Tinh instrument, but each time I listen, I have a different feeling. But the same state of fascination, like being lost between heaven and earth.

The Then Hotpot “Party” was started with all the innocence of the host and guests. And that spiritual “party” had a strange intoxication, each drop of music and song in the ears, permeated, lingered, and led everyone present to Then village.

People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong, Head of the Then Singing Club of Thai Nguyen province, said: There are two types of Then: ancient Then and reformed Then. Ancient Then has a spiritual nature, reformed Then is based on ancient Then, with content praising the Party, Uncle Ho, love for the homeland, country, and people. Notably, ancient Then singers are not only artists but also "Then masters" - people who connect the earthly world and the spiritual world.

If Then singing is the singing of heaven and earth, then the Tinh lute is the indispensable soul in every singing session. The Tinh lute is a unique national musical instrument, with a simple structure but a very special sound.

The Tinh lute is not only an instrument to accompany Then singing but also a tool for the artist to express his talent and emotions. Because the material for Then is the crystallization of the unique characteristics and quintessence of traditional cultural beauty. For example, in Lau Then there is a suite: "Khun tang pay cau an" (Going to heaven to pray for peace for the family and the village).

“Khun tang pay cau an” is an ancient Then poem, consisting of 10 chapters: “Pao phap pao slay” (presenting to Buddha, gods, and saints to perform the ceremony); “Thai ve” (Cleansing and purifying the altar for the ceremony); “Kham le” (Dance to check the offerings before departure); “Pay tang” (Then army departing); “Kham hai” (Crossing the Milky Way); “Khau tu va” (Entering the king’s gate); “Nop le” (Submitting offerings); “Ky slu long dang” (Proclaiming blessings); “Tan dan, tan le” (Dance to check the altar, celebrate) and “Hoi binh, khao ma” (Regarding the soldiers).

From everyday life, Lau Then has been artistically transformed into a stage performance, and in recent years, Thai Nguyen Then artists have brought Lau Then to participate in national and regional festivals. Because it contains cultural quintessence and has a unique, magical feel, participating artists have always brought home Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals.

Sharing with us, artist Chu Hai Hau, Suoi Boc hamlet, Yen Trach commune, said: Since I was a child, I have listened to Tinh lute and Then singing. I realized the value of the singing and the sound of the lute, so I often go to Then singing clubs in the area to guide people to learn new songs.

Artist Hoang Thi Doi, Phuong Tien commune, shared: Then lyrics also have a way and a rule. If you don't know it, it seems strange, if you like it, you'll be curious and want to learn. When your fingers know how to press and release the keys, and your mouth knows how to hum the lyrics, you'll be fascinated. No matter how busy you are, you still spend some time every day playing and singing, just like people need food and clothes.

Pass on pride

Then singing and Tinh lute are not only an art form but also an indispensable part of the spiritual life of Thai Nguyen people. For the Tay and Nung people, Then is the voice of the heart, a prayer, a gratitude to ancestors and gods. The smooth, profound Then melodies have entered the subconscious, becoming a source of encouragement and comfort in daily life.

Realizing the importance of preserving Then cultural heritage, in recent years, the provincial authorities have made great efforts to preserve, maintain and promote the value of Then singing and Tinh lute. Many classes teaching Then singing and Tinh lute have been opened in residential areas and schools, attracting the participation of a large number of people, especially the young generation.

Members of the Then singing club in Khau Lai hamlet, Hop Thanh commune, during a practice session.

In the implementation of preserving and transmitting Then singing in Thai Nguyen province, many people mentioned artisan Tran Yen Binh, Tich Luong ward. Mr. Binh is the one who put a lot of effort into restarting the Then singing and Tinh lute movement in the province. The story began more than 20 years ago, when Mr. Binh was working at the Provincial Cultural Center (now the Provincial Cultural - Artistic Center). He said: According to the direction of comrade Mong Dong Vu, Director of the Provincial Cultural Center, it was to collect and gather Then singing artisans.

To complete his assigned “mission”, Mr. Binh went to the homes of Then singers to persuade them to join the club. Whenever he heard of someone who knew how to sing Then and was passionate about Then, he went to their homes to “beg” them to join. Seeing his enthusiasm, some elderly people who knew how to sing Then and play the Tinh instrument signed up to join, and at the same time, he encouraged their children and grandchildren to join the club to learn how to sing Then and play the Tinh instrument.

In 2007, the club was established with 18 members, but only 7 people knew how to sing Then and play Tinh. By July 2025, the provincial Then singing club had grown to more than 50 members.

Club members have spread their passion for Then throughout the community. Accordingly, the number of people who know how to sing Then and play the Tinh instrument has increased day by day, dozens of Then singing clubs have been established in residential areas, with over 500 members. People guide and help each other with the skills of using the Tinh instrument, and how to press and release the breath when participating in the singing.

Currently, on the mass media, there are a variety of music genres from many different cultures in the world , but a miracle exists in everyday life, Then lyrics, Tinh sounds naturally resonate with the sweet sound of heaven and earth, of human hearts. For a simple reason: Then singing, Tinh lute is not only art, but also the soul, the profound indigenous cultural beauty that carries the soul of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Viet Bac.

Each Then melody, each Tinh lute sound contains love, attachment to the homeland, to the origin, to the traditional cultural values ​​that have been preserved and passed down for thousands of years and forever.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202507/loi-then-chay-dai-cung-nam-thang-baf12d5/