Xuan Pha performance, Xuan Truong commune (Tho Xuan).

Through the process of formation, living and working on the land of Thanh, the ethnic people have produced many unique folk songs and dances that have been passed down from generation to generation. Among them, we can mention Dong Anh folk songs and dances (also known as Ngu tro Vien Khe), Dong Khe commune (Thanh Hoa city), including a system of performances combined with extremely unique folk songs; or Xuan Pha performance, Xuan Truong commune (Tho Xuan), with dances that are sometimes free, sometimes strong, graceful and rhythmic; or Ma river song that shows the extraordinary bravery of Thanh people on the journey to conquer the Ma river; to the performances of ethnic minorities such as turtle dance, bowl dance, lullaby, love song, Thai ethnic group's singing...

Perhaps, until now, when talking about Ngu Tro Vien Khe, every person living in Dong Khe commune in particular and in Thanh Hoa in general is very proud. Because, overcoming many challenges of time with many historical changes, from a type of folk performance that had been forgotten, facing the risk of being lost, now Ngu Tro Vien Khe has "revived" with a fresh look and gone beyond the boundaries of the "village pond", to become a national intangible cultural heritage.

As a typical artisan and also a person who has devoted much effort to the journey of restoring Ngu Tro Vien Khe, excellent artisan Le Cong Truong, Vien Khe 1 village, Dong Khe commune (Thanh Hoa city), shared: "Ngu Tro Vien Khe has existed for a long time, closely associated with the daily life and thoughts and feelings of the ancient farmers. Initially, Ngu Tro Vien Khe had 5 plays, but later due to cultural acculturation, there were up to 12 plays such as: Lamp Dance, Tien Cuoi, To Vu, Drum and Wooden Goblet, Thiep, Van Vuong... However, over time, due to many historical changes, the system of performances gradually faded away and was no longer organized by the people. As a person who is passionate about Ngu Tro Vien Khe, I and many other villagers always hoped that one day this cultural heritage would be restored. And that wish came true when in 2002, relevant units, local authorities and people implemented a project to restore, preserve and promote cultural value of Ngu Tro Vien Khe. After that, thanks to the efforts of the local people and authorities in collecting, researching documents and rehearsing the plays to make them as similar as possible to the original, in 2017, Ngu Tro Vien Khe was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Since then, Ngu Tro Vien Khe has not only been actively taught to the younger generation by knowledgeable local artisans but has also been performed at many important events both inside and outside the province. This is not only the pride of the local people, but also affirms the strong vitality of this cultural heritage, which can still promote its inherent value in any era."

In ethnic minority areas, although there are many modern music genres, folk songs and dances have not disappeared. Because ethnic people are always aware that preserving and promoting folk songs and dances in life is a necessary task, not only contributing to preserving the soul of the nation, but also enriching the spiritual and cultural life. Therefore, currently in many mountainous areas, the work of preserving and promoting the value of folk songs and dances is given top priority. The most typical example is Ngoc Lac district, which still preserves many unique folk songs and dances such as the Pon Pong festival, "Sac Bua" (also known as Phuong Chuc), the art of performing "Xuong Giao Duyen", the Nhang Chap Dao (Jumping Festival) ritual of the Dao Quan Chet people... To preserve and promote the value of folk songs and dances, in recent times, the district has actively collected and inventoried to have a plan to protect folk songs and dances at risk of being lost; encouraged and created conditions for knowledgeable artisans to teach folk songs and dances to the young generation and bring folk songs and dances to teach in schools; regularly organize festivals, performances, and introduce local folk songs and dances to friends and tourists; bring folk songs and dances associated with local tourism activities...

Regarding the preservation and promotion of the value of folk songs and dances, Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Huong, Director of the Center for Tourism Promotion and Culture, Thanh Hoa Cinema, said: The Center has always actively carried out propaganda on the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups, including folk songs and dances, through regularly opening training classes on folk songs, dances, and music for people, especially the young generation. From the beginning of 2025 to now, the Center has coordinated with many localities to open training classes such as: "Collecting and preserving folk songs, dances, and musical instruments of the Mong ethnic group" in Muong Lat district; "Collecting, preserving and promoting the value of lullabies and bell dances of the Dao ethnic group" in Cam Thuy district... Along with that, the Center also actively guides, maintains and develops art troupes, folk song and dance clubs in localities; guide artisans to participate in teaching the younger generation... From there, arouse pride and responsibility in preserving the value of folk songs and dances in the people themselves, the people who hold the heritage.

In addition, to preserve and promote the value of folk songs and folk dances, on April 12, 2021, the Provincial People's Committee also issued Decision No. 1189/QD-UBND approving the outline of the Project to preserve, restore and promote the value of folk songs and folk dances of Thanh Hoa province in the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization in the period of 2021-2030. The implementation of the project will contribute to enhancing the values ​​of folk songs and folk dances, at the same time, promoting the cultural and tourism nuances of Thanh Hoa to domestic and international friends. This is also an opportunity to further strengthen the teaching and training activities on folk songs and folk dances for ethnic minorities in the province, thereby contributing to preserving and promoting the value of folk songs and folk dances to meet the increasing demand for spiritual cultural enjoyment among the people...

Article and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/suc-song-cua-dan-ca-dan-vu-trong-xa-hoi-hien-dai-247474.htm