At the community house in Hamlet 7, the sound of gongs often resounds as Tuyết patiently teaches teenagers to master the chinh tía (five-gong set) and chinh tốc (three-gong set).
She guides their hands, recounts legends, and instills pride in their traditions. Alongside the music, she also trains them in folk singing and traditional dance.
Children say Tuyết’s mentorship has kept them engaged despite the challenges of learning.
“At first, my hands hurt and I wanted to give up, but Ms. Tuyết showed me every move,” said 13-year-old Đinh Minh Đức. “Now, whenever I finish a piece, I feel so happy.”
Tuyết’s passion began in childhood, when her mother introduced her to cultural festivals. By age 12, she had learned complex gong rhythms such as băm and roong tía. “I teach not just so they know the techniques, but so they love their own culture,” she said. “If the young don’t learn, the gongs will fall silent.”
Beyond teaching, Tuyết regularly performs at local festivals, from new rice celebrations to deity worship ceremonies, wearing her brocade skirt and taking every opportunity to instruct women and youth. Her dedication, villagers say, strengthens their connection to ancestral roots.
She has also composed bilingual folk songs in H’re and Vietnamese, including Lullaby of the Fields, Evening on the Đinh River, and Gong Festival by the An Lão Victory Monument. These works, inspired by memories and landscapes of her homeland, have been showcased at festivals and celebrations.
Local officials say her contribution is vital. “As ethnic values face the risk of fading, artisan Tuyết has taken the lead in teaching gongs and folk songs, nurturing future generations,” said Phan Hoài Vũ, Secretary of An Lão Commune Party Committee. “We highly value her contributions and will continue to work with her to preserve and promote cultural traditions.”