In a small house on the hillside in Kien Lao village, artisan Ha Thi Thanh Tinh is meticulously transcribing ancient Tay folk songs that she has recently collected from elderly people in the area. Outside, the sounds of singing and dancing blend with the lively laughter and chatter of the members of the Kien Thanh Folk Art Club during their regular practice session. This atmosphere makes everyone feel that the ancient cultural values are still being cherished and preserved intact amidst today's life.

Artisan Ha Thi Thanh Tinh meticulously transcribes ancient then songs of the Tay ethnic group.

Born and raised in Quy Mong, from a young age, Mrs. Ha Thi Thanh Tinh was nurtured by lullabies and traditional dances of her ethnic group. These simple sounds seeped into her childhood memories, becoming an indispensable part of her life.

Mrs. Tinh shared: “In the past, almost everyone in the village knew how to sing folk songs and perform traditional dances. Life has changed, and many young people are no longer as interested as before. I always think that if we don't try to preserve them, one day those cultural traditions will gradually be forgotten.”

This concern motivated her to dedicate much of her time to collecting, memorizing, and teaching the folk songs and ancient dances of the Tay ethnic group to the people in the region. Although she did not receive professional training, her love of culture made her a key figure in local community arts and culture activities.

In 2014, along with several elderly villagers, artisan Ha Thi Thanh Tinh established the Kien Thanh Ethnic Arts Club. In the early days, the club faced many difficulties. With few members, inadequate training facilities, and many members busy with family responsibilities, maintaining regular activities was challenging. “There were days when only a few people came to practice, but we still encouraged each other to persevere. We did it out of love for our culture, so no one wanted to give up,” Mrs. Tinh recalled.

From its initial meetings, the club has now attracted 24 members of various ages who participate regularly. Each person has a different job and background, but they all share a love for their national culture.

Every week, the members gather together to practice singing and dancing. Those who know more guide those who know less, and those who know the lyrics teach those who haven't yet memorized them. The atmosphere during practice sessions is always lively with laughter and full of camaraderie.

Artist Ha Thi Thanh Tinh practices singing, dancing, and passing on traditional folk melodies with the members of the club.

Ms. Le Thi Nhuong, a member of the Kien Thanh Ethnic Arts Club, shared: "Joining the club makes me very happy because I get to interact with others and learn more about my ethnic culture. Thanks to Mrs. Tinh's dedicated guidance, we have grown to love traditional folk songs even more."

Besides maintaining regular activities, the club actively participates in performances at solidarity festivals, cultural festivals, and many local events. Each time the music plays, the vibrant traditional costumes and graceful dances attract large crowds of people who come to watch and cheer.

What makes Mrs. Ha Thi Thanh Tinh happiest is that more and more young people are interested in traditional culture. During the training sessions, she patiently guides each dance movement and each song, hoping that the cultural values of the nation will continue to be passed down through many generations.

Artisan Ha Thi Thanh Tinh enthusiastically guides the members through each folk song and dance.

"As long as there are people who want to learn, I will continue to teach. I only hope that future generations will still know how to sing folk songs and remember the traditional dances of our people, so that they don't fade away," Mrs. Tinh confided.

Beyond being a cultural educator, Mrs. Ha Thi Thanh Tinh also fosters community cohesion through the club's activities. Since the club's effective operation, the villagers' spiritual lives have become richer. These cultural and artistic gatherings not only help people relax after hard days of work but also provide opportunities for villagers to strengthen their bonds and share experiences.

Kien Thanh Folk Arts Club contributes to spreading love for national culture within the community.

Mr. Ha Minh Hop, a member of the Kien Thanh Ethnic Arts Club, said: “The club helps the villagers become more united. After hard days of work, everyone sings and dances together, creating a very joyful atmosphere. Especially, thanks to Mrs. Tinh, many people understand and appreciate the traditional cultural values of their ethnic group even more.”

After many years of dedicated work in preserving and transmitting traditional culture, artisan Ha Thi Thanh Tinh has received numerous commendations and certificates of merit from the Provincial People's Committee, departments, and localities for her contributions to the preservation of national cultural identity.

Artisan Ha Thi Thanh Tinh is a passionate advocate for preserving traditional culture. Maintaining the Kien Thanh Ethnic Arts Club effectively contributes to the preservation of folk songs and traditional dances, creating a healthy cultural environment and spreading love for ethnic culture within the community.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen - Head of the Culture Department of Quy Mong Commune.

Amidst the fast-paced modern life and its many new forms of entertainment, preserving traditional culture in the highlands faces numerous challenges. However, driven by a deep love for their ethnic culture, people like Mrs. Ha Thi Thanh Tinh are quietly and tirelessly "keeping the flame alive" every day.

The songs and dances that she cherishes and preserves today are not only a unique cultural beauty of the village, but also a thread connecting the past with the present, so that the ethnic identity continues to be passed down and resonate.

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