Then singing is a distinctive cultural heritage of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups, embodying rich values in language, music, folk literature, customs, and performing arts.

A Then singing and Tinh lute performance at the 2026 exhibition of archival materials, titled "The Essence of Bac Ninh Cultural Heritage."

In 2019, the practice of Then singing of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam were inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This recognition has provided greater motivation for local authorities to pay more attention to preserving and promoting this invaluable heritage.

Every one to two weeks, members of the Son Hai Then Singing and Tinh Lute Club gathers for regular activities.

Born into the Nung ethnic community, meritorious artisan Luc Van Tich (born in 1977) learned Then singing and how to play the Tinh lute from an early age.

Motivated by his desire to preserve his ethnic group's unique cultural heritage, he proposed the establishment of the club in 2014. Today, the club has 26 members, with him serving as its chairman.

"Mastering a beautiful Then song in combination with playing the Tinh lute takes a great deal of time. Besides passion, learners must be patient and persistent; otherwise, it is easy to give up," Tich shared.

Son Hai is not the only locality preserving this heritage. Across Bac Ninh province, many Then singing clubs have become important cent for safeguarding the tradition.

Established in 2019, the Truong Son Then Singing and Tinh Lute Club now has more than 30 members of different ages.

"We are delighted that although everyone is busy with farming and daily work, they remain enthusiastic and attend our regular gatherings. The club is not only a place to practice but also a venue where people meet, exchange experience, encourage one another in life, share knowledge about livelihoods, and work together to preserve the unique cultural identity of our ethnic community," said Vi Thi Kim, the club's chairwoman.

In recent years, Bac Ninh province has implemented numerous initiatives, including conducting heritage inventories, collecting and documenting traditional materials, organising training classes, encouraging the establishment of Then singing and Tinh lute clubs, and providing support policies for artisans who have made significant contributions to heritage preservation.

To date, the province has 27 active Then singing and Tinh lute clubs operating regularly in localities with large Tay and Nung ethnic populations.

These clubs are mainly located in the communes and wards of An Lac, Van Son, Bien Dong, Luc Ngan, Son Hai, Bien Son, Truong Son, Nghia Phuong, Kep, Yen The, Xuan Luong, and Phuong Son, with each club comprising between 15 and 40 members.

Beyond club activities, Then singing and Tinh lute performances have become increasingly present in cultural events, tourism activities, and community life, gradually creating livelihood opportunities for local residents.

Outstanding Artisan Luc Van Tich, head of the Son Hai Then Singing and Tinh Lute Club, teaches club members how to play the tinh lute.

At the An Lac community tourism site, for example, the Then Singing and Tinh Lute Club of Bieng hamlet (formerly Na O hamlet) has 15 members. Whenever tourist groups wish to enjoy Then performances, club members perform and interact with visitors.

Then singing has also become a more prominent feature in the province's art performances and festivals. At regional and national amateur arts competitions, Bac Ninh's art troupes have repeatedly won top prizes with their Then singing and Tinh lute performances.

A significant milestone came in November 2025, when Bac Ninh hosted its first Then Singing and Tinh Lute Festival.

The event brought together 12 amateur art troupes with nearly 400 performers, musicians, and artisans, making it the largest festival of its kind ever organised in the province.

Besides creating opportunities for artisans to exchange knowledge and experience, the festival has helped raise public awareness of heritage preservation, promote the province's cultural identity, and boost tourism development.

Then melodies resound in Ma Bap

BAC NINH - For the Nung ethnic community in Ma Bap village, Lang Giang commune, Then singing is an inseparable part of their cultural and spiritual life. To preserve and promote this valuable heritage, local people regularly practice and pass it on to younger generations.

Nearly 400 performers join Bac Ninh’s first Then and Tinh lute festival

BAC NINH - Nearly 400 artisans, performers and musicians from 12 local art troupes took part in the opening of Bac Ninh’s first provincial Then and Tinh lute festival on November 26, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. 

Bac Ninh promotes UNESCO-recognised Then heritage

In 2019, the practice of Then in several provinces, including Bac Ninh, was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Following this recognition, Bac Ninh rolled out comprehensive measures, including a master plan on safeguarding ethnic cultural heritage through 2030.

 

Efforts exerted to preserve “Then singing” heritage

In addition to teaching and transmission, many localities have integrated Then into modern life. In Quang Ninh and Lang Son, community-based tourism featuring Then performances has provided livelihoods for local residents while supporting the preservation of this cultural heritage.