Nong Dung Long sings Soong Hao folk songs.

After retiring from his job, Nong Dung Long has been spending time visiting elderly people in Phon Xuong commune to make records of lyrics of Soong Hao songs in ancient Nung language and translate them into Vietnamese. He has understood that not many people will remember it as time goes by and the orally-transmitted art form would be lost forever if it is not preserved and practiced every day.

Long has preserved more than 100 Soong Hao songs, most of which depict the beauty of the homeland and love for the family.

He also became a teacher of Soong Hao folk singing when a local music club for Nung folk songs was established in the commune in 2010. He has passed his knowledge of the traditional singing to the club’s members during their meetings which take place once a month at the cultural center of Dong Nhan hamlet.

“I am very happy since the club has attracted not only old people but also many children to learn how to sing Soong Hao songs. I hope that young generations would preserve and uphold the traditional culture in the new era,” he said.

Under Long’s instruction, the club has attended district- and province-level music festivals where it won several prizes.

As a Soong Hao singing lover, Dien Hoang Anh in Phon Xuong commune said: “I have listened to such beautiful melodies since I was a child. I like Soong Hao songs, especially ancient ones, so I always wish to learn these songs”.

“At first, I did not think learning to sing Soong Hao songs was too difficult. However, thanks to instructions of Long and others in the club, I am now able to sing many songs of my group”, he added.

Folk songs of the Nung ethnic minority people in Yen The district in particular and Bac Giang province, in general, have been passed from generation to generation, thanks to efforts of people who have a passion for the traditional culture like Nong Dung Long.

His enthusiasm has helped the locality to preserve and develop the local cultural identity and improve the spiritual life of ethnic minority groups.

Mai Huong