Khuc Mon Dinh on Luong Son Forest

Xoan singing, also known as Khuc Mon Dinh (singing at the communal house yard), is a way of singing to worship gods. Singing at the communal house door is a type of folk song with rituals and customs; it is an art form that combines many elements of musical instruments, singing, and dancing to serve the religious needs of the community. Xoan singing originated from ancient villages located in the center of the capital, Van Lang, during the time of King Hung and then spread to neighboring areas, including Luong Son commune, Yen Lap district.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoi (middle), head of the Luong Son Xoan singing club, teaches ancient Xoan melodies to members.

The Luong Son Xoan singing club has more than 20 members who are Muong ethnic people, the oldest of whom is nearly 80 years old. Despite the difficulties in maintaining, teaching, and practicing Xoan singing, the members are still persistent in preserving and spreading this intangible cultural heritage of humanity to the public. Xoan singing artist Nguyen Thi Hoi, 68 years old, head of the Luong Son Xoan singing club, is always actively studying, performing, and teaching Xoan singing. 12 years ago, Ms. Hoi attended a class on Xoan singing, and since then, she has been diligently practicing to improve her singing techniques and performance skills, actively teaching members of local Xoan singing clubs.

With a heavy heart for the songs passed down from their ancestors, in order to have a fund for activities, the club members contribute funds and then lend them, taking interest to cover living expenses. Every time they are invited to perform, the members spend their own money to prepare costumes, props, scripts, etc. Thanks to people who love and persevere with cultural heritage like Mrs. Hoi, Xoan singing in Luong Son has been passed down through many generations, becoming the pride of Luong Son people today.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoi, head of the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club, said, "Joining the Xoan Singing Club helps us have more joy in our old age. Despite their advanced age, the members are still enthusiastic about practicing and performing ancient Xoan songs. In order to prevent the melodies from being lost, the members of the club and I often take advantage of our free time to teach Xoan melodies and songs to our children and grandchildren in the family."

The members, despite their old age, still practice enthusiastically.

The artisans are all elderly, so teaching the younger generation is difficult because young people are no longer interested in traditional folk songs. What Mrs. Hoi finds most sad is that at first, many people loved and joined the club, but then gradually dropped out. When the club was first established, there were more than 40 members; now there are only 20, all of whom are elderly. However, the women and mothers have not given up, gathering every day and every week for club activities with the hope of teaching the next generations to love Xoan singing more. Ms. Ha Thi Hong Ha, president of the Women’s Union of Luong Son commune, said, "Over the past many years, in order to preserve and maintain the Xoan singing heritage, the artists from the clubs have regularly participated in activities. With their enthusiasm and passion for Xoan singing, the artists have not been afraid of difficulties to maintain the activities. In particular, the artists and core members of Xoan singing in Luong Son are mainly Muong ethnic people. The Women’s Union of the commune has promoted Xoan singing and dancing to the people, sending experienced artists to participate in training courses organized by higher-level departments. Luong Son Xoan Singing Club actively participates in cultural exchange programs in the commune and district.

In the coming time, the Women’s Union of the commune will continue to coordinate with the branches and organizations of the commune to promote Xoan singing to all people. Coordinate with artisans to teach Xoan singing to young people in the area. At the same time, advise the Commune People’s Committee to support operating costs.

With practical activities in the past, the Luong Son Xoan Singing Club has contributed to the good implementation of the work of preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities associated with tourism development under Project 6 of the Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the period of 2021-2030.

Thuy Hang