Visiting Quynh Nhai in the early days of the new year, when peach blossoms begin to adorn the hillsides, the air is filled with the sounds of the Tinh Tau lute and the smooth melodies of Then singing. For the White Thai people here, the Tinh Tau lute is not just a simple musical instrument for entertainment and courtship, but also a sacred object in spiritual rituals such as: praying for peace, warding off misfortune, celebrating longevity... The sound of the Tinh Tau lute always blends with the songs of the Then singers, expressing their hopes for a peaceful life and a bountiful harvest.

Distinguished artisan Dieu Chinh La from Quynh Nhai commune crafts the Tinh lute.

Because of its significant importance, the craft of making the Tinh lute in Quynh Nhai has always been preserved by the local artisans. To create a Tinh lute with a resonant sound and soulful music requires meticulous craftsmanship in every step, and especially a keen musical sensibility from the maker.

We visited the esteemed artisan Dieu Chinh La, in sub-district 5, Quynh Nhai commune, one of the most experienced and reputable zither makers in the region. While meticulously shaping the neck of the zither, Mr. La shared: "Making a satisfactory zither requires many steps and perseverance. The most difficult parts are making the lid and tuning the strings. The lid is made of thin vông wood, glued tightly to the mouth of the gourd to ensure the best vibration. Previously, the strings were made of silk, but now they are replaced with nylon strings for a clearer and more durable sound."

These zithers were crafted by the distinguished artisan Dieu Chinh La.

Upon closer examination of the materials used to make the đàn tính (a traditional Vietnamese stringed instrument), we learned that the soundbox, called the "bầu tính," is made from mature gourds. These are round gourds with thick shells. After harvesting, the pulp is removed, and the gourds are soaked in lime water or salt water to prevent insect infestation. They are then dried until they produce a "coong coong" sound when struck, indicating they meet the standard. The neck of the instrument is usually made of mulberry wood or mulberry wood, which is lightweight yet flexible and does not warp over time. The length of the neck is also carefully calculated according to the player's arm span or according to feng shui dimensions, usually 9 or 12 hand spans.

On average, Mr. La completes about 15 zither-shaped instruments each month. Thanks to their beautiful and diverse designs and accurate sound, his instruments are sought after by customers everywhere, with prices ranging from 300,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND depending on the material and craftsmanship. Beyond crafting instruments, Mr. La is also deeply committed to passing on this heritage. Since the beginning of this year alone, he has personally opened four classes in Son La and one in Dien Bien, meticulously instructing students on instrument making and the art of playing the zither.

Distinguished artisan Hoang Van Chiem from Quynh Nhai commune shares his thoughts on the Tinh lute.

Leaving Mr. La's house, we sought out the esteemed artisan Hoang Van Chiem, beloved by the locals for his dedication to ethnic culture. Welcoming us with a joyful spring melody, Mr. Chiem reminisced about his more than 50 years of connection with the instrument: For the White Thai people, the sound of the tinh tau (a type of stringed instrument) blended with the then singing is an indispensable spiritual nourishment. From a young age, I learned to play and craft the instrument. Even at my advanced age, I still regularly participate in performances, accompanying artisans in major festivals and participating in classes teaching tinh tau and instrument making to young people.

In recent years, the preservation of traditional culture has received attention from local Party committees and authorities. In Quynh Nhai, Thai ethnic cultural clubs have been established in the villages, and elderly artisans are the ones who directly teach the younger generation about ethnic culture, especially the art of Then singing and Tinh playing. Extracurricular activities exploring these traditional art forms are also regularly organized in schools. The image of students eagerly listening to artisans tell stories about the origin of the Tinh instrument, or excitedly learning how to play it, is a positive sign of the enduring continuation of this cultural heritage.

Distinguished artisan Hoang Van Chiem introduces the Tinh lute to the students.

Ms. Dieu Thi Trang, from Quynh Nhai commune, a young woman continuing the craft of making the Tinh lute, shared: "Initially, I learned to make the lute out of curiosity, but the more I learned, the more I loved it. Every time I finish a lute and hear its sound, I feel happy and proud. I want to learn from the experience of the elders to develop more beautiful and sophisticated Tinh lute designs, and turn them into souvenirs for tourists."

Artists perform on the zither at the closing ceremony of the literary and artistic creation camp.

With skillful hands and unwavering love for their cultural roots, the artisans who craft the Tinh instrument are still diligently polishing, tuning, and creating durable, beautiful Tinh instruments with resonant sounds. From this, the art of Tinh playing and Then singing is preserved, contributing to the unique identity of the beautiful Quỳnh Nhai region.

Yen Vy