The story of a woman who persistently preserves Thai culture in western Nghe An.
In Block 1, Con Cuong Commune, Nghe An Province, Ms. Vi Thi Huong Cang is highly regarded by the local people as someone enthusiastic in community work, making many contributions to the movements and lives of the people in the block, especially in preserving ethnic cultural identity.
We arrived in Con Cuong commune just as the members of the Thai Ethnic Folk Song and Dance Club of Grade 1 were practicing their program, preparing for an exchange program with other clubs in the area in October. The members were engrossed in practicing songs and dances.musical instrument,This created a lively atmosphere, attracting a large number of people to come and cheer.
Ms. Vi Thi Huong Cang (born in 1960) - the head of the club - is busy with her work, sometimes standing up to take a general overview, other times going to each person's position to adjust their dance posture or tone of voice in each song. Ms. Cang is also the one who posts announcements, makes phone calls, and urges members to gather at the meeting place.
Taking advantage of a break, Ms. Cang shared: “The Thai Ethnic Folk Song and Dance Club of our block was established in 2021, based on gathering people who are passionate and dedicated to the traditional culture of our ethnic group. Although it hasn't been operating for long, the club has made certain contributions to the cultural and artistic movement and the preservation of cultural identity in the locality.”
As a retired official, Ms. Vi Thi Huong Cang is pleased to see the material living standards of the people in her neighborhood and commune improving, with most families now having spacious and well-equipped houses. However, what worries Ms. Cang is that despite the large number of Thai ethnic people in the neighborhood, the preservation of their traditional cultural identity has not received adequate attention.
The younger generation is increasingly distancing itself from its national culture, with many even being unaware of traditional folk melodies.folk songs...folk dances and traditional musical instruments of her ethnic group. Faced with this reality, Ms. Cang wanted to do something useful for her people and her homeland. After much thought, she decided to campaign for the establishment of a Thai ethnic folk song and dance club in her neighborhood, with the aim of preserving, promoting, and spreading traditional cultural values.
Going door-to-door and meeting with each person to campaign and persuade, by August 2021, Ms. Cang had established the club with 28 members, and she herself was entrusted with the role of Chairperson. In this role, Ms. Cang is responsible for drafting the operating regulations, organizing monthly practice sessions (1 session/month), raising funds, and purchasing costumes and musical instruments for practice, interaction, and performances.
Since its establishment, the Folk Song and Dance Club of Grade 1 has had many exchanges with clubs in the province and neighboring provinces such as Dien Bien, Son La, and Lai Chau, leaving a positive impression. In particular, the club is often invited to perform at congresses of various organizations, festivals, and weddings in the commune, contributing to a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere for everyone.
Not only did she play a major role in the formation and development of the Folk Song and Dance Club, Ms. Vi Thi Huong Cang also made many contributions to the activities of the neighborhood. As the head of the Women's Association, she and the Executive Committee of the association effectively organized various activities.emulation movementFor example: Women actively study, work, create, and build happy families; build families based on the "5 no's and 3 clean" principles; establish a fund to help each other develop economically with 35 million VND; collect scrap materials worth over 19 million VND, helping two members in difficult circumstances…
As a Party member and a representative of the Commune People's Council, Ms. Cang effectively carries out mass mobilization work, maintaining close ties with the people and promptly understanding and reflecting their legitimate concerns and aspirations. She actively participates in Party branch meetings, contributing to the development of resolutions and activity plans that are relevant to the practical situation of the area.
Comrade Vi Thi Huong Cang is a Party member who always takes the lead in the movements and activities of the bloc, especially in cultural and artistic activities, and is a shining example for the people to follow. We have just received good news that Comrade Cang will participate in the 2025 Patriotic Emulation Congress of Nghe An province, which is also an honor for the Party branch and all the people in the bloc.”
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Que - Secretary of the Party Branch of Block 1, Con Cuong Commune
