Vientiane: An exhibition and performance programme showcasing the practices of Then by the Tay-Thai ethnic language family commenced in Vientiane on August 17. This event marks the 81st anniversary of Vietnam's August Revolution and National Day on September 2, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Vientiane Declaration on Reinforcing Cultural Heritage Cooperation in ASEAN (2016-2026).
According to Lao News Agency, the programme is a collaborative effort by the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups and the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Laos. It aims to celebrate a recognized intangible cultural heritage of humanity while enhancing the strong friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
The opening ceremony was attended by notable figures including Lao Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Phakhanxay Sikhanxay, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam, and representatives from various agencies and research institutes from both countries, alongside Vietnamese representative missions in Laos, local residents, and international visitors.
To Thi Thu Trang, Director of the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnam's Ethnic Groups, addressed the gathering, highlighting the uniqueness of Then practices by the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam. These practices are a distinctive folk art form representing moral values, life philosophies, and community solidarity. The rituals blend music, lyrics, dance, and traditional handicrafts, with "dan Tinh" sounds and Then melodies expressing prayers for favourable weather, fruitful harvests, and peaceful lives, connecting individuals with nature and history.
On December 12, 2019, UNESCO inscribed the Then practices of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Au Viet Hung, Director of the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Laos, remarked on the universal appeal of cultural values that transcend language, noting that Lao people can find echoes of their own traditions, such as the Baci ceremony, in the Tinh lute and simple melodies.
The exhibition includes 54 photographs, 119 artefacts, and 12 excerpts from unique Then rituals, arranged under five themes: traditional settlement and farming practices; weaving and traditional costumes; the cultural narrative of Then practices; the preservation and promotion of Then singing and Tinh lute traditions; and ancient Then performances.
Visitors can discover commonalities among eight ethnic groups of the Tay-Thai language family in Vietnam, including their traditions of stilt houses, indigo-dyed brocade weaving, and irrigation systems. The exhibition also highlights traditional weaving, drawing parallels with Lao brocade weaving traditions.
A standout feature of the programme is a series of ancient Then ritual performances by Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Van Tho, the Doi Hoa Club, and other folk artisans. These performances use the Tinh lute, percussion, and singing to recreate the spiritual ambiance of the heritage.
The exhibition and performances are accessible to the public at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Vientiane until August 19.