In their journey to preserve and spread ethnic cultural identity, a troupe of S’tieng artisans from Tan Hung commune, Dong Nai province, has left a strong impression through their participation in the Youth with Traditional Culture program at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.
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Beyond fostering ethnic pride, the activities also serve as a process of transmission and continuity, helping to introduce and promote the beauty of the S’tieng culture in Dong Nai to the wider public, particularly the younger generation.
Bringing S’tieng culture to the capital
Traveling more than 1,000 kilometers from Dong Nai to Hanoi, the S’tieng artisans’ troupe from Tan Hung commune brought to the capital a rich and vibrant cultural space through a series of distinctive activities. These included the art performance Spring Calls from the Village, the fashion showcase Spring Colors of the Highlands, and a re-enactment of the Blessing and Peace Ceremony at the start of the year.
Within the open space of the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, the resonant sounds of gongs blended with rustic songs and dances, creating a vivid portrayal of the spiritual life of the S’tieng people. The performances were meticulously staged, ranging from the “Spring Gong Ensemble” to songs infused with the breath of the mountains and forests, such as S’tieng Girl, I Sing to Call the Sun, and S’tieng Eyes. Alongside these were dances reflecting daily life and labor, including Planting Rice on the Hillside, Fish-catching Dance, and The Sound of Pestles in Bom Bo Hamlet, all contributing to an authentic portrayal of the cultural rhythm of the community.
A special highlight of the program was the performance of two sets of Loc Hoa lithophones - recognized as national treasures dating back approximately 2,500 BC - by artisans Duy Thao and Thi Xi. The sound of the stones seems to transport listeners back to primordial times, where mountains, streams, and human life blended into one. For the S’tieng people, the lithophone is not merely a musical instrument but also the voice of the soul, a way to convey emotions, joys, and sorrows in life.
Visiting Hanoi for the first time to introduce S’tieng culture to the community, Village Elder Dieu Ho enthusiastically shared, "We are proud to bring our cultural identity to the capital. This is not only about exchange and performance but also an opportunity for artisans and younger generations to preserve and promote the precious cultural heritage of our ethnic group.”
Notably, the journey of bringing ethnic culture from Dong Nai to the capital also featured many young people from the S’tieng community in Tan Hung commune. They not only participated in performances but also actively introduced their culture to friends and visitors. Eleven-year-old girl Dieu Thi Linh Trang said, "By joining the program, I directly performed songs and dances and wore the traditional costumes of my people for audiences and tourists. Through these activities, I have gained a deeper understanding of S’tieng culture and will strive to learn and preserve the values passed down by my grandparents and parents.”
Proceeding with the transmission of identity
Beyond performances, the troupe of S’tieng artisans from Tan Hung commune also brought a diverse cultural experience space, allowing visitors to “touch” S’tieng life in an authentic way. Artisans carefully re-enacted the Blessing and Peace Ceremony of the S’tieng people at the start of spring. This sacred ritual is traditionally held around February and March to pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperity for every household.
At the same time, the traditional culinary and daily life experience areas also attracted significant attention. Visitors were able to explore distinctive local foods such as bamboo-tube coffee, hill rice paper, com lam, and grilled meat - each reflecting the flavors of the Southeastern mountainous region. They also participated in traditional activities such as rice pounding, carrying baskets, walking on stilts, crossbow shooting, weaving, and brocade making, gaining deeper insight into the everyday life of the S’tieng people.
Dieu Hai, a young S’tieng participant, shared: “Participating in activities at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism is an opportunity for us, the younger generation of S’tieng, to directly introduce the unique features of our Tân Hưng homeland to visitors. The excitement of tourists when enjoying our cuisine and experiencing traditional activities is the motivation for us to stay connected and strengthen our awareness of preserving and promoting our ethnic cultural identity.”
According to Village Elder Dieu Ho, the locality has proactively established clubs to teach gong performance and lithophone playing, maintaining regular activities to pass on these traditions to younger generations. He also expressed the hope for continued support from the Party and the State in building a traditional S’tieng cultural house in Tan Hung commune to preserve and introduce their culture in a systematic and long-term way.
Through a combination of performances, exchanges, and experiential activities, S’tieng culture in Dong Nai is not only “introduced” but also “lives” in the hearts of the public. This practical approach helps preserve, transmit, and spread cultural identity, enriching the diverse yet unified cultural tapestry of Vietnam’s ethnic communities. The experiences from this journey will continue to inspire artisans, especially the younger generation, to keep the flame alive and spread S’tieng culture more widely in modern life.
From March 18 to 24, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a delegation to participate in the “Youth with Traditional Culture” program at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Doai Phuong commune, Hanoi. This provided an opportunity for ethnic communities, especially young people, to connect, exchange, and jointly preserve and promote cultural identity in the new era.
By My Ny – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha
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