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| Mr. Ly Van Vu plays the Mong flute |
Passion for Mong flute and a life full of challenges
Although he was blind since childhood, Mr. Vu refused to give up on his fate. Born into a poor family, losing both his parents at an early age, he lived with his relatives. Life was full of hardships, but his dream was always burning: to see the colors of the world around him, to have fun with his friends.
One day, while sitting in his house, he suddenly heard the sound of a Mong flute coming from afar. Those sounds made him unable to sit still. "How can one play a flute like that? How can one create a flute that produces such wonderful sounds?" That question kept echoing in his mind.
At the age of 18, he was taught how to make and play the flute by the village flute makers. Despite not being able to see, Mr. Vu persevered in learning, starting with the first flutes, which he made many mistakes, until the first perfect sound was heard. "I never got discouraged, even though the flutes broke a lot at first," he shared.
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| Mr. Vu makes Mong flute. |
The sound of the Praise connects love
At the age of 26, Mr. Vu was still single, which made him feel self-conscious in society. However, it was the sound of the panpipe that changed his destiny. While playing the panpipe in Bao Lam district, he met Ms. Ma Thi Nhua, his future wife. “The panpipe helped me find my life partner,” Mr. Vu shared.
Family life is not easy, with four young children and difficulties in making a living. However, Mr. Vu has used his profession of making compliments to support his family. Each month, he can make 4 to 5 compliments, selling them for about 1.5 million VND each. Even though he cannot see, he still makes compliments by hand and brings them to the market to sell.
Making a Mong flute is a meticulous process. Mr. Vu said: "First, I choose bamboo, not too old or too young, then dry it. Next, I drill a hole for the bronze reed - the most important step, because the bronze reed determines the sound of the flute." After each completed flute, he carefully tests the sound, adjusting the reed to perfection.
Even though he couldn't see, Mr. Vu's hands were still skillful, as if there was a perfect arrangement in each movement. Each panpipe was a work of art, imbued with his love and passion for national culture.
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| Even though he couldn't see, Mr. Vu still made the panpipes himself and brought them to the market to sell. |
Praise - The soul of the Wishing people
ForMr. Vu, the Khen is not just a musical instrument. It is a close friend, always by his side in times of joy and sadness. During Tet, festivals, or when getting married, the Khen is always an indispensable part.
He shared: "The Praise is the voice of the Mong people, a bridge between the spiritual world and humans. The sound of the Praise is also the joy of welcoming Spring, the sound of welcoming the bride to her husband's house, and a declaration of love."
Even though his hair has turned grey, Mr. Vu still wants to pass on his passion for the Hmong flute to the younger generation, so that this culture will not be lost. "I want the Hmong flutes to fly higher and further, so that future generations can preserve and promote them," he confided.
Saying goodbye to Mr. Ly Van Vu, who has spent nearly 50 years preserving the "soul" of the Mong people on Nghe Luong peak, we believe that his panpipe will forever resonate, contributing to the maintenance and development of Mong culture in the Cao Minh highlands. The panpipe not only invites tourists to the northern communes of Thai Nguyen province but also connects people with nature, between the past and the present.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202507/tieng-khen-mong-tren-dinh-nghe-luong-c1b18c9/
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