The Echoes of Muong Bronze Drums

Among the thousands of precious artifacts on display at the Hung Vuong Museum - Campus 3 (formerly the Hoa Binh Museum) on An Duong Vuong Street, Hoa Binh Ward, ancient bronze drums consistently draw special attention from visitors. Today, Phu Tho takes great pride in being the cradle of the Hoa Binh Culture, ranking second nationwide in the number of discovered and preserved bronze drums.

Students in Hoa Binh Ward learn about ancient bronze drums.

According to researchers, the Muong people are an indigenous group that diverged from the Viet-Muong block, descended from the Lac Viet residents—the masters of the brilliant Dong Son Culture. In the post-AD era, Hoa Binh served as a vital center for the continuity and innovation of the Dong Son Culture, most notably through the bronze drum treasures preserved and passed down through generations of Muong people.

Deputy Director of the Hung Vuong Museum Nguyen Thị Hai Ly stated: "The bronze drum is an ancient musical instrument dating back to the era of the Hung Kings' nation-building, closely intertwined with the cultural, spiritual, and daily lives of the ancient Viet people. Over time, while the drum’s role gradually faded in the daily life of the Viet (Kinh) people, it remained in use for religious rituals in Muong regions until the early 19th century." Notably, the Song Da drum—the first discovered in Hoa Binh in 1887—paved the way for large-scale excavations and research into bronze drums.

To date, over 100 ancient bronze drums have been discovered in Hoa Binh, including 11 Heger Type I and over 90 Heger Type II drums. Hung Vuong Museum (Campus 3) currently houses 78 of these artifacts, while the remainder are preserved in local districts or museums both domestically and abroad.

While the Heger Type I (Dong Son drum) is the cultural and civilizational symbol of the ancient Viet, the Heger Type II drum is regarded as the cultural icon of the Muong people in Vietnam. Scientists suggest that the Muong were among the primary users and keepers of these drums, particularly the Heger Type II.

Heger Type II drums feature prominent geometric patterns. The star at the center of the tympanum usually has 8 or 12 small rays, distinct from the Dong Son style. The edge of the drum face often features toad figurines—an image linked to the folk belief that "The toad is Heaven’s uncle." The croaking of toads was associated with the powerful, deep resonance of the drum; during droughts, the drums were beaten to pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. Some drums also depict mating toads, symbolizing fertility and the desire for many descendants.

With sophisticated stamping techniques, the lozenge patterns transform the drum surface into something resembling a woven carpet, evoking the traditional brocade of the Muong people in Hoa Binh.

Ancient bronze drums displayed at Hung Vuong Museum (Campus 3).

Bronze drums primarily reached Muong villages through titles bestowed by feudal dynasties upon local “Quan Lang” (nobility), reflecting the political unity between the Viet and Muong. They were also exchanged through trade. Most drums were found by chance during canal digging, house construction, or roadwork, while some were discovered in ancient Muong tombs.

In ancient Muong society, the bronze drum was a sacred antiquity, symbolizing power and wealth. Only the nobility and high-ranking aristocrats were permitted to use them. Beyond being a musical instrument for communal rites, the drum served as a communication and signaling tool. Its sound guided the deceased to their ancestors during funerals, connected humans with deities during festivals, and rallied the community during wartime. Thus, the drumbeat is both sacred and majestic—a thread connecting the past to the present, and humanity to the heavens.

Deputy Director Nguyen Thi Hai Ly added: "Bronze drums hold a paramount position in the consciousness and life of the Vietnamese ethnic community in general, and the Muong in Hoa Binh in particular. They are a legacy from our ancestors and a symbol of Vietnam’s civilization during its founding era." Preserving these values contributes to safeguarding the nation’s traditional cultural identity. Campus 3 of the Hung Vuong Museum has organized numerous exhibitions to introduce these values to the public, helping younger generations understand the humanistic values, customs, and noble traditions of the Muong people and the broader Vietnamese community.

Duong Lieu