Hanoi (VNA) – In recent years, the northern province of Quang Ninh has made remarkable progress in preserving traditional cultural values, particularly those of ethnic minorities, thanks to the invaluable contributions of the elderly – a treasure of wisdom and experience.
Over the past two decades, under the Party's resolutions and the State's policies, along with the provincial administration's attention to cultural affairs, Quang Ninh has taken measures to safeguard its traditional heritage.
Thanks to the engagement of local authorities and citizens, many cultural relics have been preserved in their rightful splendour. Village and communal festivals, customs, folk songs, traditional games, handicrafts, and indigenous knowledge have been revived and passed down to younger generations, with the elders playing a central role.
Around 2007, the Luc Na communal house festival in Luc Hon commune was revived after 50 years, based on the recollections and guidance of village elders. Similarly, the "Xuong Dong" (going down to the field) Festival in Phong Coc ward and the Dai Phan Festival in the Van Don special zone were also revitalised thanks to the knowledge of senior members of the community.
Other notable examples include the Dao ethnic people’s “Cap Sac” (coming of age) ritual in Bang Ca commune, linked to artisans such as Ly Van Ut, Dang Van Thuong, and Truong Thi Quy. While the “Hat Dum” folk singing in Ha Nam Island have been preserved by artisans Ngo Van Nhuan and Pham Thanh Quyet, the “Then” singing and “Tinh” instrument in Binh Lieu and Luc Hon communes have been kept alive through the dedication of Nong Thi Sin, Hoang Thi Vien, and Luong Thiem Phu. In Phong Coc ward, Le Duc Chan remains a living archive of traditional boatbuilding techniques for the unique wooden sailing vessels that can travel against both wind and current.
Across Quang Ninh’s communes and wards, numerous folk culture clubs are now flourishing, and at their heart are the elderly. Many have continued their cultural devotion into retirement. People’s Artist Thanh Chac, for instance, tirelessly teaches "Cheo" singing to young learners. At the same time, war veteran and folk artisan Le Van Ut of Yen Duc ward has founded a local "Cheo" club to nurture the youth's love for this traditional art.
Nguyen Quang Vinh, another war veteran, devoted years to researching the folk culture of Quang Ninh’s ethnic groups and founded the Quang Ninh Folk Arts Association, which he chaired until recently due to health reasons.
Through such grassroots initiatives, cultural clubs and associations have made valuable contributions to preserving the cultural identity and enriching community life.
The Vietnamese proverb “Wisdom belongs to the old, strength to the young” encapsulates this truth – the elderly hold vast reserves of knowledge, insight, and life experience.
In the work of cultural preservation, they are not only guardians of heritage but also living archives — the very foundation for creating distinctive cultural tourism products that attract visitors and contribute to local economic development. Moreover, they serve as moral and cultural exemplars within families and communities, passing down the treasured traditions and values of their ancestors to future generations so that the spirit of Vietnamese culture continues to thrive and evolve./.
