Artisans from An Lạc Commune, Bắc Ninh Province perform 'then' singing accompanied by gourd lute music. — Photos courtesy of Bắc Ninh's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

BẮC NINH — The 2026 "Then singing and Gourd Lute" Festival of An Lạc Commune took place at Nà Ó Stadium within the Khe Rỗ Ecotourism Area, the northern province of Bắc Ninh, attracting artisans, performers, residents and numerous amateur art troupes for cultural exchange.

The event served as an occasion to honor, preserve and promote the traditional cultural values ​​of the Tày ethnic people, while showcasing the locality's cultural and community-based ecotourism potential.

According to Phùng Đức Minh, vice chairman of the An Lạc Commune People's Committee and head of the festival's organising committee, then singing and gourd lute playing have long been an integral part of the spiritual and cultural life of the Tày people in An Lạc.

These practices represent not merely a traditional art form but also the "soul of the countryside, a repository of memories, and a bond uniting the community," he said.

The cherished cultural values ​​of their ancestors are passed down through generations, fostering a deeper connection among residents to their homeland, villages, and roots.

This year's festival featured a wide range of cultural, artistic and sporting activities.

A highlight of the opening night was a performance programme comprising 15 elaborately staged acts praising the Party, President Hồ Chí Minh, and love for the homeland and country.

Additionally, camping activities organised by nine villages created spaces for community interaction, further enriching local cultural life and serving as a venue for cultural exchanges and the showcasing of unique local cultural traits.

Officials from Bắc Ninh's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism present flowers to the artisans after a performance.

Through this festival, the locality hopes that the art of then singing and gourd lute playing will continue to be taught and passed down to the younger generation, maintained regularly within villages and remain a vibrant part of community cultural life.

Artisans and cultural clubs are expected to continue playing a pivotal role in teaching, creating and continuing traditional values.

The festival aims to showcase and promote the cultural and community-based eco-tourism potential of Nà O Village and the Khe Rỗ Eco-tourism Area, boosting local tourism and the economy.

Through these community cultural activities, the locality seeks to transform traditional values ​​into resources for development, creating livelihood opportunities and improving the lives of local residents.

The 2026 An Lạc Commune "Then singing and Gourd Lute" Festival serves as a unique cultural event, allowing the community to reflect upon, cherish and pass down values that have been ​​cultivated over generations.

It ensures the enduring resonance of then and gourd music, contributing to the preservation of ethnic cultural identity and promoting the image of the people and homeland of An Lạc. — VNS