Preserving the Script of the Quan Chet Dao People

In Nat Son Commune, Phu Tho Province, there are elders who are persistently sowing the seeds of ancient characters into the souls of the younger generation, driven by a desire to preserve the cultural “lifeline” of the Quan Chet Dao people and prevent it from fading with the passage of time.

A Nom Dao script class in Suoi Than Village, Nat Son Commune.

In Suoi Than Village, the Nom Dao script class has been maintained for years, serving as a vital pillar for the community’s traditional literacy preservation. To the Quan Chet Dao, writing is more than just a means of communication; the Nom Dao script is a Sinicized writing system that crystallizes the wisdom and soul of their ancestors over millennia.

The Nom Dao script is likened to a “treasure chest key” that unlocks a vast storehouse of ethnic knowledge: from sacred rituals and the Cap Sac (lineage initiation) ceremonies to family genealogies, customary laws, Mo songs (traditional shamanic chants), and precious traditional medicinal remedies. Each character and brushstroke on the handmade ban paper contains profound philosophies about human life and the universe.

Mr. Trieu Van Hung diligently teaches the Nom Dao script to the residents of Suoi Than Village every day.

A special classroom has been established at the village cultural house, led by artisans well-versed in ancient scripts, such as Mr. Trieu Van Hung. Despite being retiring, Mr. Hung meticulously prepares lesson plans and patiently encourages villagers, especially the youth, to attend.

According to Mr. Hung, learning Nom Dao cannot be rushed. "It was very difficult at first because the young people are busy with work and school. We have to teach them how to recognize characters, combine them, and then explain the meaning of each chant and prayer so they can appreciate the beauty and remain committed to the script," he shared.

Residents of Suoi Than Village attend the Nom Dao class in the evening, despite a hard day’s work.

The enthusiasm of the younger generation, such as Duong Tuan Hung (born in 2013), is a clear testament to the vitality of Dao culture. Hung expressed: "The more I learn, the more I find our language beautiful and meaningful. I want to study to the end so as not to fail my teacher’s efforts."

However, the journey to preserve the Nom Dao script still faces many hurdles. Limited funding and a lack of facilities have prevented the class from expanding. In 2025, the Suoi Than class maintained only 28 students.

In response, the local government has stepped in. Mr. Bui Van Thang, Vice Chairman of the Nat Son People’s Committee, stated: "The commune will allocate part of its budget to support the class and coordinate with local schools to integrate Dao cultural content into extracurricular activities. With the passion of the artisans and the province’s preservation projects, the future of the Nom Dao script will have a sustainable solution. We want to instill a sense of pride in our roots in children’s souls from the moment they are in school."

Young Duong Tuan Hung (born in 2013) is the youngest member of the Nom Dao script class.

The Nom Dao script of the Quan Chet Dao is being revived, manifesting in modern life. As long as the younger generation still yearns to hold the brush and grind the ink, that cultural spring will continue to flow, as persistent and proud as the rolling mountains of their homeland.

Ngoc Thang