Language and writing are not only means of communication, but also the soul of a nation's culture. For the Thai people, writing not only reflects their identity but also serves as a bridge to transmit knowledge, customs, and folk tales that have been preserved through generations.

Contest on preserving and developing the spoken and written languages ​​of ethnic groups in Son La city.

Mr. Tran Cong Chinh, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, said: The city has implemented many practical activities to preserve and promote the spoken and written language of the Thai ethnic group, contributing to the preservation of traditional cultural identity, such as: promoting activities to teach and preserve the spoken and written language of the Thai ethnic group; encouraging the opening of classes to teach the Thai script, establishing Thai cultural clubs; organizing competitions and cultural exchanges of the Thai ethnic group to encourage the younger generation to use and develop the ethnic language...

In 2024, the city established the "House of Wisdom" community library system, a model of philanthropic activity in the field of education. To date, 100% of the villages and hamlets in the area have a "House of Wisdom." This is a miniature library that provides books, newspapers, and magazines, and also preserves documents on the language, literature, and customs of the Thai ethnic group, helping people access knowledge and preserve their ethnic cultural identity.

Many young people participated in the Thai ethnic writing competition.

In mid-April, Son La City organized a competition on preserving and developing the spoken and written languages ​​of the city's ethnic groups in a theatrical format. The competition attracted 21 contestants of the Thai ethnic group from 12 communes and wards in the city, participating in public speaking and writing competitions in the Thai language. Through this competition, not only were the contestants encouraged to study the language, but it also strongly promoted research and learning among agencies, units, communes, and wards.

Quàng Thị Thùy Linh, born in 2013, was the youngest participant in the public speaking competition. Linh shared: "Previously, I usually used Vietnamese in programs. Participating in this competition using the Thai language was very exciting and I felt proud. Through this competition, I was able to research and learn more about my ethnic language, helping me to improve my language skills. I hope more competitions like this will be organized specifically for teenagers and children to help preserve and promote the Thai language for the younger generation."

Keeping pace with the trends of the 4.0 revolution, the city also encourages the use of social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to disseminate content about the cultural life of the Thai ethnic group in the Thai language. These channels post videos about festivals and folk art, helping the younger generation to more easily access their language and culture, and attracting many followers and shares.

Contestants participate in a public speaking competition in Thai at the City's Ethnic Language and Writing Preservation and Development Contest.

In addition, the city has 36 Thai ethnic cultural clubs in various communes and wards, attracting over 1,000 participants, including artisans and elderly people fluent in the Thai language and script. These clubs not only organize unique cultural activities but also provide free Thai language instruction; the classes have received a positive response from members of all ages, who participate in learning their ethnic script.

Mr. Ca Chung, a member of the Thai ethnic cultural club in Noong La village, Chieng Ngan commune, said: "As a member of the Thai ethnic group, I always want the culture and writing system of my people to be passed on to future generations. I have collected materials on the Thai script and opened a free Thai script class for nearly 100 students from the village and commune. I'm most pleased that many young people have registered to study."

Thai language class in Noong La village, Chieng Ngan commune, City.

Ms. Lo Thi Mai Cuong, from Chau Co village, Chieng Coi ward, is one of the pioneers in preserving and teaching the Thai script in Son La. With her passionate dedication, she has opened free Thai script classes or participated in teaching classes organized by communes and wards in the area, helping many generations of people learn to read and write the Thai script and gain a deeper understanding of their ethnic culture.

Ms. Cuong shared: "My classes have no age limit; children and adults alike can participate. Classes are held every Saturday and Sunday. After completing a course, everyone can read and write at a basic level. In addition, there are other teachers available to make it easier for people to attend without affecting their daily work."

Ms. Lo Mai Cuong teaches the Thai script to the younger generation.

Beyond direct teaching, Ms. Cuong also leveraged technology, creating instructional videos on learning the Thai script on YouTube and Facebook. This enabled many people to learn independently, even those unable to attend in-person classes, expanding her reach not only within the Thai community in Son La City but also across the country. These instructional videos, along with songs and folk tales in the Thai language, attracted significant attention, fostering a love for the Thai language and helping younger generations understand and appreciate their cultural heritage. Ms. Lo Mai Cuong's contributions not only helped preserve the Thai script but also inspired many others to join hands in safeguarding their cultural identity.

The implementation of activities to preserve the Thai ethnic group's written language has yielded many positive results, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the cultural identity of the Thai community in Son La. These efforts not only help maintain the language but also motivate the younger generation to continue learning and using the Thai language and script in their daily lives.