“Passing the flame” through the sound of the Khèn

On a late weekend afternoon, outside a wooden stilt house in Pú Súa village, Mường Ảng commune, the resonant sound of the Mông khèn played by artisan Hậu Phái Sếnh drifts across the valley. At times cheerful like a spring festival, at others soulful like the call of the mountains, the music captivates not only the young but also those in their forties and fifties who come to learn.

His classes have no fixed venue, sometimes in his yard, sometimes in an open space at the edge of the village. With weathered hands, he patiently teaches each student how to select bamboo, drill holes, bend brass reeds, and assemble the parts so that the instrument both looks beautiful and produces a clear, resonant sound.

The artisan recalls falling in love with the khèn as a boy, mesmerized by village elders’ performances during festivals. At first, the instrument was heavy, hard to control, and produced little sound. Yet the more challenging it was, the more determined he became. Through persistence and practice, he mastered the craft.

Now in his twilight years, he hopes to pass on his knowledge to anyone eager to learn, helping to safeguard the cultural identity of his people. Over recent years, he has trained hundreds of students in making and playing the Mông flute and khèn.

One of his students, Hậu A Sở, shared: “Before, I only listened to the khèn without knowing how to play. Thanks to his guidance, I can now perform at festivals. More importantly, I have grown to love my culture even more and want to preserve this beauty for the next generation.”

Building connections to preserve traditions

The Thái ethnic group in Điện Biên boasts a rich heritage: folklore, myths, proverbs, a written language, rituals, customs, and performing arts. Each element distills generations of wisdom, reflecting the community’s delicate and profound spirit.

Yet integration brings challenges. Many traditional customs, melodies, and crafts survive only in the memories of elders. Fewer young people are showing interest, and spaces for practice and transmission are shrinking.

To respond, numerous associations and cultural clubs have emerged, gathering enthusiasts and experts committed to protecting and revitalizing Thái traditions. These initiatives foster connection, enrich community life, and open pathways for cultural tourism, showcasing Điện Biên’s land and people to visitors from near and far.

In December 2024, the Điện Biên provincial Thái Cultural Association was established with nearly 200 members. It has since become a hub for preserving cultural values through exchanges, networking, and collaboration among Thái cultural groups across the province. One key partner is the Thái Cultural Club in Mường Lay Ward, where the distinctive architecture and heritage of the White Thái community have long attracted tourists. The locality has leveraged this legacy to promote sustainable tourism tied to regional specialties.

According to club head Lò Minh Triều: “Strengthening cooperation makes it easier to sustain traditional culture in modern life. Through various media channels, we can effectively promote and connect Mường Lay’s White Thái cultural and tourism products with both locals and visitors.”

Nurturing heritage among the young

In today’s integration era, cultural heritage is not only a treasure for educating the young in tradition and values but also a significant resource for socio-economic development. Recognizing this, the project “DTEC - Preserving Traditional Embroidery of Ethnic Minorities in Điện Biên” was launched by the Traditional Embroidery Club at Điện Biên College of Economics and Technology in 2021.

The club has drawn many students who spend one or two sessions weekly, beyond regular classes, learning embroidery techniques. Teachers and fellow members review and refine each other’s work, while experienced artisans are invited to teach, carefully explaining the meaning of every motif and stitch.

As a result, the club’s handcrafted pieces have become increasingly sophisticated, deeply rooted in traditional aesthetics, and environmentally friendly. Each motif embodies the cultural identity of a particular ethnic group, instilling both technical skills and cultural pride in the students.

Member Mai Thùy Dung shared: “Through the club, we don’t just practice embroidery. We also nurture our pride and commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of our people.”

In the context of globalization, safeguarding cultural identity has become a vital concern. Nurturing and promoting the “soul” of ethnic traditions in modern life is both a responsibility and a source of pride, empowering Điện Biên to stride confidently on the path of integration and development.