Pupils of Lang Son Secondary Boarding School perform Then songs and the Tinh musical instrument at a year-end ceremony for the 2008-2009 academic year. (Photo: Lang Son newspaper)

At Lang Son Secondary Boarding School, Tay and Nungethnic minority boys and girls happily join the Ethnic Culture Club to learn traditional songs and dances. The Club has groups of Then and Sli singing, Tinh musical instruments, folk games, Tay language, and cooking. 

“I’m a member of the Nung Club. We often meet at the weekend to sing Then and Sli, perform traditional dances, and cook traditional dishes. We talk with each other in Tay and Nung language. The Club is a venue for us to relax after studying and improving our life skills,” said 12th grader Dam Thi Hinh.

Beginning with only 20 members, the Ethnic Culture Club now has 400 members. Lang Son Secondary Boarding School has 600 pupils. 98% of them come from ethnic minority groups. Club members regularly make video clips in Tay and Vietnamese to post on social networks to promote the school’s activities. On some occasions, they performed Then, Sli, and Luon singing at Ky Lua Pedestrian Street in Lang Son City to entertain tourists.

“Ethnic students at boarding school are less fortunate than their peers at other schools. But they are studious, self-discipline, and fond of cultural, artistic, and sporting events. When joining the Club’s activities they are active, dynamic, and creative. They always have new ideas and apply IT to introduce their activities to many people,” said teacher Duong Thi Nhuyen of Lang Son Secondary Boarding School and Head of the Tay Club.

Vuong Xuan Thuan, headmaster of Lang Son Secondary Boarding School said every pupil is a cultural representative of a village and an ethnic group. The school has provided them the best possible conditions to learn and exchange knowledge to impulse the flow of culture.

“The Club wants to restore and promote ethnic cultures through daily activities and pull the children out of electronic games and social networks such as Facebook and Zalo. The children have created many new activities and practice often. They have also connected with friends at other schools and provinces such as Cao Bang and Bac Kan to expand their knowledge. They will be the ‘nucleuses’ in promoting traditions and culture,” said Nhuan.

The Ethnic Culture Club at school is a playground of friendship, solidarity, mutual support, and cultural preservation.