(VOVWORLD) - A small Dao Nom script class, run by Mr. Hoang Thong Chu in the mountains of Cho Don commune, Thai Nguyen province, meets every evening. The class, which has been running for more than seven years, aims to preserve the writing system and cultural heritage of the local Red Dao community.
 Mr. Hoang Thong Chu in his Dao Nom script class (Photo: VOV correspondent in the northeast region) |
Every evening, elders and children gather at the small house of 60-year-old Hoang Thong Chu to learn the old Dao Nom script.
Chu began learning the Dao Nom script at the age of 10 from his grandfather and the village elders. To him, it is more than just a tool for recording. It carries cultural values, reflects folk wisdom, imparts moral teachings, and preserves traditional customs.
The script plays a vital role in the Dao’s spiritual and cultural life, particularly in the Cap Sac ceremony, a sacred rite marking the coming-of-age of Dao men. Yet many Dao people, particularly the younger ones, can neither read nor write it. Fearing that the ancient books, treasures of his people’s heritage, might one day be unreadable, Mr. Chu decided to open this class.
“The class aims to teach villagers the script so they can preserve the cultural heritage of the Dao people. I hope that when I’m older and can no longer teach, the younger generation will take over,” said Chu.
At first, many people were either uninterested, hesitant to study, or too busy with farming. Mr. Chu patiently and persistently helped them understand the importance of Dao Nom script and the cultural values embedded in every stroke. He also worked on creating lesson plans suited to the community.
In each lesson, besides learning the script, his students are also taught moral values, kindness, life principles, and proper behavior within the family and community drawn from ancestral writings, ancient books, and folktales.
 (Photo: VOV correspondent in the northeast region) |
After 7 years, the class has attracted many learners from neighboring areas, including Trieu Trung Cuong, a 6th grader. “I really enjoy learning our Dao script. I’ll do my best to learn it so I can pass on the cultural identity of our people to future generations,” said Cuong.
An elderly learner named Trieu Tien Tho said Chu is dedicated to preserving the ethnic script. “This Dao Nom class is very important for me and the Dao community. Learning this script is essential to understand the meaningful sayings of Dao people. I hope such classes will continue in order to preserve this writing system for our community,” said Tho.
Amid the fast pace of modern life, when many traditions fade away, this Dao Nom class on the mountainside stands as living proof of cultural vitality.