In Ia Bă 3 village, Ia Grai commune, Rơ Châm The and her husband, Rơ Châm Chinh, teach traditional performing arts and take part in cultural events.
In Kúc Rơng village, Chơ Long commune, Kro and his wife, Bier, pass on the craft skills that have earned them recognition in local competitions.
Their work brings cultural knowledge into everyday village life, from teaching children Jrai folk songs to helping fellow weavers develop their skills.
The, born in 2000, returned home after graduating in music from the Central Pedagogical College in Ho Chi Minh City.
Her training supports her work with traditional instruments, including the t’rưng, lithophone and klông pút, alongside Jrai folk music.
She teaches women the traditional xoang dances that accompany different gong pieces and helps children learn folk songs, paying close attention to rhythm and phrasing to preserve the Jrai singing style.
Chinh, born in 2001, plays in the Ia Bă 3 village gong team. He also performs on traditional and modern instruments, including the guitar and organ.
Music first drew the couple together: Chinh was captivated by The’s folk singing, while she admired his instrumental skills. Their shared interest has since taken them from village activities to larger stages.
The said her husband’s ear for music complemented her teaching skills, allowing them to support each other when guiding children and other villagers.
The couple regularly represents their locality at cultural events and has helped the village arts troupe win honours at competitions and festivals. In 2025, they joined a delegation of Gia Lai artisans at the Autumn Fair in Hanoi, presenting Central Highlands culture to Vietnamese and international audiences.
Rơ Châm Mur, the village elder who leads the Ia Bă 3 gong team, described them as committed young representatives of the next generation carrying forward the locality’s gong heritage. He praised their willingness to help the community and their enthusiasm for traditional culture.
In the Bahnar community of Kúc Rơng, Kro and Bier have earned distinction in two different crafts.
Among the Bahnar people of the eastern Trường Sơn mountains, the title “hgei” recognises someone who excels in a particular field. Kro, born in 1987, and Bier, born in 1991, are both recognised for their craftsmanship.
Bier weaves colourful brocade fabrics and has won top prizes at weaving competitions organised by the former Kông Chro district. Through years of involvement in the local Women’s Weaving Club, she has also shared her skills with other members.
Kro specialises in basketry, decorating baskets, trays and sieves with intricate motifs depicting the sun, moon and mountains. His craftsmanship and creative designs have earned him top prizes in local competitions.
In 2023, the couple represented the former Kông Chro district at the Central Highlands Gong Performance Festival in Gia Lai, demonstrating basketry and brocade weaving.
Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, head of the commune’s Department of Culture and Information, praised their craftsmanship, creativity and commitment to traditional occupations. He said their work teaching others played a vital role in sustaining local crafts.
