The Keeper of the Flame in Dong Van Ancient Town

Love for culture blossoms from the heart of the rock.

I met Hung one afternoon in the border region, when peach and pear blossoms were in full bloom, showcasing their beauty on the jagged, cat-ear-shaped rocks. Standing amidst the pristine white of the pear orchard, Hung softly said, "The rocky plateau is beautiful in every season, but spring always brings the warmest and most vibrant feelings." Then, he raised his Hmong flute to his lips. A poignant, melodious tune filled the air, weaving through the crevices of the rocks, like a heartfelt invitation from the mountains and forests to a distant traveler.

Born and raised amidst towering cliffs, Sung Manh Hung's childhood was filled with the echoing sounds of the Hmong flute in the mountains. His soul was nurtured by the atmosphere of the lively Khau Vai market every March, by the lingering scent of cooking smoke from old rammed-earth houses, and by the vibrant rhythm of the Gau Tao festival every spring. The traditional culture of the Hmong people thus permeated his very breath and heartbeat, becoming an integral part of this young man's being.

However, as someone working in the cultural field, Hung soon realized the deep-seated anxieties. Modern life, with its smartphones and internet, was infiltrating even the most remote villages, bringing with it the risk of the erosion of cultural identity. The moss-covered traditional tiled roofs were gradually being replaced by colorful corrugated iron roofs; the clear, melodious sounds of the bamboo flute and pipe were sometimes drowned out by the loud, modern pop music.

Hung confided, his eyes gazing into the distance towards the misty mountaintop: "I fear that one day, our descendants will only see our national culture through old photographs in museums, and will no longer feel the true essence when touching the earthen walls or hearing the vibrant sound of the bamboo flute calling out to friends on the mountaintop." This fear became the driving force that compelled Hung to do something different to keep the "flame" of his homeland alive.

Promoting culture and tourism through kindness.

In the early days of spring, images of the Dong Van Stone Plateau being overwhelmed by crowds of people and vehicles spread rapidly on social media, serving as the clearest evidence of the allure of the far north. As a young person savvy with technology, Hung understood that digital platforms were the "shortest path" to bringing the culture of the highlands to the world .

However, amidst a sea of ​​sensationalist content, Sung Manh Hung chose his own path: He spent hours meticulously filming scenes of an ancient village that still retains its traditional way of life, carefully showcasing the distinctive aspects of the Hmong people's daily lives, or capturing the delicate beauty of wildflowers blooming on rocks, scenes of people extracting mint honey, scenes of a highland market... He doesn't "act," he simply records reality through the lens of respect and a sincere heart.

More specifically, Hung transforms himself into a true dancer. In the old town of Dong Van, he immerses himself in the sounds of the khene (a traditional Vietnamese wind instrument) and flute, using lively dance moves to "warm up" the campfire night, bridging the gap between host and guest. His videos on TikTok (with over 500,000 followers) and Facebook (over 700,000 followers) are not only breathtakingly beautiful footage but also vibrant cultural documents.

“I don’t run ads, nor do I try to promote myself. It’s probably just luck; people love the beauty of the scenery and people of Dong Van, so my followers just keep increasing,” Hung humbly shared. He believes that every tourist who posts a beautiful picture of Dong Van on their personal page is also a “satellite” promoting this land. Initially, Hung danced just for fun, to interact with tourists on weekends, but then on days when he wasn’t there, tourists missed him and asked about him. So, night after night, he and his group of friends would go to the old town to dance, using music and dance as a bridge to bring culture beyond the “gateways to heaven.”

Not content with just promoting online, Hung took us to visit a special class: a Hmong flute class taught by himself. Seeing the children in their colorful traditional costumes, their nimble feet performing skillful dances, we were amazed. Hung meticulously taught them everything from proper breathing techniques and how to hold the flute and reed pipe correctly, to coordinating their breath and body movements. For Hung, this is the most profound way to preserve culture. Because only when culture is passed down and "takes root" in the younger generation does it have a chance to survive sustainably. Besides teaching dance and reed pipe, Hung also established clubs, gathering people who love local culture. He taught them how to create videos and use social media to promote the beauty of their village, thereby helping them earn income from their ancestral heritage. With his numerous efforts in promoting culture and tourism, Sung Manh Hung has received many Certificates of Merit and Commendations from various levels and sectors, becoming an important figure in disseminating and promoting traditional cultural values ​​in the locality.

In a flat world where cultures easily blend together, people like Sung Manh Hung are the silent but determined "keepers of the flame." He has carried the soul of the gray stone, the vibrant colors of the brocade dresses, and the simple, heartfelt voices of the highlanders to distant lands. Crossing the towering mountain ranges of Dong Van, Hung's dances are touching the hearts of international friends, affirming the vibrant life of a culture that has never faded on the northernmost peaks.

Argumentation

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/202604/nguoi-giu-lua-pho-co-dong-van-e157322/