Pa Di women play the round lutes. (photo: Bao Thai Nguyen)

The Pa Di, also known as the Black Tay, number around 2,000 people and live mainly in the mountainous communes of Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province. They often express their emotions and thoughts through the round lute, which produces a wide range of sounds, from airy and gentle to soulful and lingering.
Artisan Lu Sin Len of Muong Khuong district said: “The Pa Di are closely attached to the round lute wherever they go. Especially the youth, they play the instrument and sing to get to know each other.”
The round lute of the Pa Di resembles the tinh musical instrument of the Tay but has a larger round soundboard, shorter neck, and four strings. Some other ethnic groups, such as the Nung and Ha Nhi, also have similar round lutes, but what makes the Pa Di version special is its intricate and detailed carved and painted motifs.
Artisan Trang Vang Min of Tung Chung Pho commune said the neck of the round lute is often carved in the shape of a dragon’s head, symbolizing vitality, goodness, luck, and prosperity. It represents the most sacred and beautiful aspects of life. “The decorative motifs are very beautiful. These are traditional Pa Di patterns, including the dragon head. This instrument always accompanies folk singing to enhance the gentle, expressive melodies of Pa Di songs.”
The round lute is not gender-specific, but it is always performed as a duet between a singer and a lute player, often in a call-and-response format. The interplay of vocals and lute creates a soft, melodic atmosphere.
Artisan Po Sao Min said: “During festivals or New Year’s celebrations, they always play the round lute. A boy and a girl sing in response to each other. Solo singing and playing the round lute creates a wholly impressive performance.”
Almost every Pa Di family has a round lute. There are melodies for each stage of life, for example, lullabies for babies, folk rhymes for older children, and love duets for young adults. The instrument is not suited to large spaces, as the singer and player should be close together.
The round lute is never played at sad events such as funerals or when there is an illness in the house.

Pa Di women often play the round lutes at festive events. (photo: Bao Thai Nguyen)

Artisan Po Chin Din from Muong Khuong has been playing the round lute since he was 15. She remembers by heart old folk songs about different topics, such as the twelve months, the four seasons, the twelve zodiac animals, and the daily life of the Pa Di people. Din said that the Pa Di don’t have their own writing system. So their songs and music are passed down orally across generations. With her experience of singing and playing the round lute, Din always participates in local cultural events as well as introduces Pa Di culture on social media.
“I use social media to introduce the Pa Di’s culture to many people. My performance with the round lute draws a lot of views. Some people dance to the rhythm of my performance,” Din said.
Artisan Trang Vang Min is also a well-known round lute player among the Pa Di people. He regularly teaches young people to play: “I teach one or two sessions a week. After one week, students get used to the sounds of the instrument and can start singing, you have to love the round lute to play and sing with it.”
Despite social changes, passionate individuals are working to revive the heartfelt sounds of the round lute and the melodious folk songs of the Pa Di among communities in Vietnam’s remote borderlands and highlands.