(VOVWORLD) - There have been concerns that the traditional culture of ethnic groups may fade amid modern life, but the Thai community in Chau Co village, Son La province, is actively working to preserve and promote its heritage.
 A Thai language class in Chau Co village, Son La province (Photo: Phan Trang/baosonla.vn) |
A young Thai man sings to show off his talent to a young woman. This tradition tightens community bonds and has brought many couples together as husband and wife.
After the man sings, the woman sings in response. If she likes the young man’s ability, she invites him onto the stage.
“When I was young, I sang a lot. It’s been a long time since I last sang. So now I’ve forgotten most of the lyrics and can only sing a few lines. Our grandparents said that in the past young men and women gathered on the stage to sing every evening. Many couples later became husband and wife. In Thai, it’s called “han khuong”, which means a place for young men and women to meet and find partners,” a Thai man named Lo Van Binh said.
 Members of the Thai Culture Club of Chau Co village practice folk singing and dancing. (Photo: Phan Trang/baosonla.vn) |
In 2023, to revive this custom, members of the Thai Culture Club of Chau Co village rebuilt the han khuong stage to its traditional design. A bamboo platform was built as a shared space for the community to perform Thai customs such as courtship singing.
“Since it was established in 2020, the club has encouraged people to preserve Thai customs and traditions. We hold activities every day to teach Thai singing and dancing and other Thai customs and norms. We combine traditional Thai culture with modern elements. We learned from the elders, and are now passing that knowledge on to the younger generation,” deputy head of the club, Hoang Thi Chau, said.
 Thai people play to mak le folk games at an exchange of Thai Culture Clubs. (Photo: Phan Trang/baosonla.vn) |
The singing of the Thai men is accompanied by traditional musical instruments, many of which are now on display at the exhibition house of Chau Co village beside artefacts of Thai production and daily life – fishing gear, looms, traditional clothing, and household items.
“We organize many activities, including cultural performances for the village’s political and cultural events and for exchanges with neighbouring communes. We also organize sports and folk games to help people maintain their health. There are also Thai language classes,” said Lo Thi Thanh, Head of the Thai Culture Club.
These activities are also introduced to visitors. Twice a month the villagers set up the han khuong stage for cultural exchanges and recreational activities.
“We offer many cultural exchange activities, art performances, and traditional Thai games. We receive many visitors who come to experience xoe dance, bamboo dance, gong dance, and other traditional activities,” Lo Thi Cuong, deputy head of the club, said.