For Pham Ngoc Thuc, a 73-year-old, who has spent three decades collecting lullabies, the songs are more than just a way to get your kids to sleep.

Thus, who lives in Canh Duong commune, Quang Trach district of the central province of Quang Binh , is the fourth generation in his family to collect lullabies in his native Trung Vu village.

Lullabies in the commune are sung with breaks between each two to four lines. The songs are sometimes taken from folk tales or composed by singers to express their feelings and thoughts. Lullabies express the creative mind of the local people.

Collecting lullabies hasn’t been easy, Thuc says.

Before 1980, paper was so scarce that he had to write on any surface that would absorb ink, like packs of cigarette, the backs of bills and blank pages left from children’s notebooks.

In recent years, he bought a small voice recorder which helps him record the voices of elderly people in the village.

“Lullabies are easy to forget unless I record them,” he says, “Now people lull their children by turning on the radio, so our lullabies might be lost.”

Day by day, carrying a notebook, pen and voice recorder, Thuc travels the region on his bicycle collecting songs. Sometimes he is moved to compose new songs.

Recently, the old man has been helped by Le Thanh Loc, 40, in Lien Trung village, Canh Duong commune. Loc says he lost himself upon hearing Thuc’s melodies and decided to learn some for himself.

Recognising Loc’s diligence and passion, Thuc taught his protegy many songs. Since 2005, the teacher and his student have attended many folk contests across the country and won several prizes.

Tran Trung Thanh, chairman of the communal People’s Committee respects Thuc’s effort and dreams.

“The Communal People’s Committee has decided to set up a fund and a group of lullaby singers to perform at local festivals.

“In this way, the songs will be restored and preserved.”

Thus says his biggest aspiration is to teach lullabies to future generations, but he is not sure he can do it. Finding students like Loc is very difficult.

“When I pass away, I hope the treasure of my ancestors will live on.”/.