Sung Minh Thanh with the Mong flute

As a Mong ethnic person born and raised in the highlands of Xin Man, Ha Giang, attached to the familiar sound of the Mong panpipe, the gentle and resounding sound, Sung Minh Thanh carries within himself a burning love for the origin of the ethnic culture. Realizing that in the context of cultural exchange and integration, preserving, conserving and promoting the value of the identity of the Mong panpipe is extremely important, Sung Minh Thanh has done meaningful work with the desire to bring the familiar, close and unique sound of the panpipe to echo everywhere.

Club members participate in the panpipe dance performance.

Originated from love of nation

Xin Man is a border district located in the west of Ha Giang province with 16 ethnic groups, including the Nung, Mong, Tay, La Chi, Dao... Mong ethnic group accounts for 24.73% of the population in the district. The traditional cultural identity of the ethnic groups here is extremely diverse and rich, especially traditional folk art forms, including the khen, which is closely associated with the spiritual and cultural life of the Mong ethnic group here.

Born and raised in the Xin Man mountains and forests, having heard the sound of the Mong flute since childhood, Sung Minh Thanh soon developed a special love for the flute of his people. Being taught by his relatives and with his inquisitive nature, Thanh has always been proactive in learning about the unique characteristics of the flute, constantly improving his skills. From his love for the flute, Sung Minh Thanh has strived to practice and learn from his grandfathers and fathers and inspired the younger generation to preserve, promote and expand the fine cultural identity of his people.

In 2021, the People's Committee of Xin Man district issued a decision to establish the Mong ethnic cultural musical instrument lovers' club in Xin Man district, Sung Minh Thanh was trusted as the Chairman of the club. Initially, the club had 55 members, now it has increased to more than 100 people. The members of the club all have a burning passion for ethnic culture and want to promote and spread the traditional cultural values ​​of their people through dance and panpipe. Sung Minh Thanh and the members of the club actively organize many meaningful activities such as exchanging panpipe dancing activities, opening classes on teaching Mong dancing and panpipe playing. Up to now, hundreds of students have practiced well in dancing and panpipe playing skills. In addition, the club also focuses on preserving and teaching other folk arts such as: coin stick dance, traditional folk singing, practicing rituals, customs and practices of the Mong people...

Club President Sung Minh Thanh (third in the top row, from right to left) and artists take photos after teaching dancing and playing the flute to local Mong ethnic children.

To let the flute sound far and wide

With his own efforts as well as the solidarity, unity and positivity of the members of the Club, in recent years, Sung Minh Thanh and the members of the Club have participated in many art performances at cultural and political events of Ha Giang province and exchanges in provinces and cities such as: Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, Yunnan province (China)... With the passion of youth, responsibility for the traditional culture of the nation, the Mong ethnic musical instrument lovers club in Xin Man district has achieved many high achievements and has been recognized by local authorities as well as the public.

Not only stopping at spreading the good values ​​of the Mong panpipe in the community, in recent times, Sung Minh Thanh has quickly approached new, scientific and trend-appropriate ways to promote and introduce the value of the traditional cultural identity of the Mong people through social networking platforms. The club's director has built a separate Facebook page called "The Club of Mong ethnic cultural musical instrument lovers in Xin Man district" attracting thousands of followers and receiving many positive interactions.

Along with that, the activities of the Club have also been introduced by prestigious media channels such as VTV1, VTV3, VTV5 - Vietnam Television and Ha Giang Television, broadcasting reports such as "The story of the artisan who still tirelessly preserves the Mong people's panpipe dance"; "The person who keeps the panpipe sound forever in the mountains and forests"; "The sound of the origin"; "The source of folk culture - the sound of solidarity"; "Diverse Vietnam", "Preserving the cultural musical instruments of the Mong people"...

The Club and its Chairman Sung Minh Thanh have been awarded many certificates of merit by the People's Committee of Xin Man district for their achievements in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups as well as their outstanding achievements in participating in festivals and competitions organized by the province and other provinces in the region. Sung Minh Thanh was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Xin Man District Youth Union and the Vietnam Youth Union Committee of Ha Giang province and honored as an Outstanding Youth in the Youth Union and Youth Movement for the period 2023 - 2024.

Mai Huong - Phuong An (Ethnic and Development Newspaper)

Source: https://baophutho.vn/sung-minh-thanh-voi-tieng-khen-mong-217090.htm