Lai Pao letters about Yen Khe

(Baonghean) - Since the time of bombs and bullets, the villagers in Yen Khe commune (Con Cuong) have had a night class. In the past, people went to school at night to avoid bombs and bullets. Nowadays, the villagers take advantage of the night to study Thai after working hours in the rice fields and tea plantations...

Talking to the villagers, we learned that there is currently a class teaching the Lai Pao Thai script, taught by artisan Vi Kham Mun. This writing system was created by the Thai communities living along the Lam River many generations ago. Mr. Mun, a resident of Xieng Lip village (Yen Hoa - Tuong Duong), is now one of dozens of people in the district who are enthusiastically teaching their ethnic script in the community. In Con Cuong district alone, he has taught 4 classes organized by the government, the Department of Culture and the District Continuing Education Center.

Mr. Vi Kham Mun teaches Lai Pao.

Hearing that there was a Thai language class, Mr. Vi Van Thu, Nua village (Yen Khe) immediately invited the teacher to stay at his house to make it easier to teach. His family has a beautiful stilt house, tourists from near and far often choose it as a resting place when coming to the Nua village community tourism site. He said that he felt excited when a Thai language class was opened in the village, even though he was busy, he still participated in learning to write his ethnic language.

Initially, this special class had over 60 people registered, after nearly a week the number of students was 55. Only a few people withdrew because of old age or too busy with family matters. According to the students, studying at night is the most reasonable because during the day everyone has to worry about harvesting rice, taking care of tea... Although busy, everyone is excited to learn Thai. Student Vi Van The said: "I am trying to study well to teach those who do not know Thai. As Thai people, I cannot lose the culture of my people!"

Article and photos:You Wei