A lifelong devotion to traditional instruments

At the age of 65, artisan Ho Van Vat, better known as Pa Hoi, from Ka Tang Village in Lao Bao Commune, Quang Tri Province, continues to dedicate himself to preserving the sounds of the Ta Lu lute and the Khen Be panpipe.

From an early age, Pa Hoi was captivated by the music that echoed through village festivals and community gatherings. Nights spent beside the fire watching local artisans perform inspired in him a deep love for the traditional instruments of his people.

As he grew older, he became increasingly determined to preserve and pass on both the playing techniques and craftsmanship associated with the traditional instruments of the Bru Van Kieu ethnic community.

According to Pa Hoi, the Ta Lu lute and Khen Be panpipe are far more than musical instruments. Their melodies are intertwined with festivals, harvest celebrations and the spiritual life of the community, forming an essential part of Bru Van Kieu cultural identity for generations.

“In the past, there was no one to teach me how to play the Ta Lu lute or the Khen Be panpipe. I learned little by little on my own. Once I mastered the instruments, I began teaching myself how to make them. I failed many times before I was finally able to produce the right sounds,” he said.

Crafting a traditional Ta Lu lute requires considerable skill and patience, beginning with the careful selection of materials. The instrument is typically made from aged jackfruit wood or moc wood. After selection, the timber must be dried for several months to prevent warping or cracking, which would affect sound quality.

The body of the lute is carved entirely by hand. Even the slightest variation in thickness can alter its warm and resonant tone. While strings were traditionally made from roa fibre, steel strings are now commonly used for greater durability.

The most challenging instrument to make is the Khen Be panpipe. A traditional Bru Van Kieu Khen consists of 14 bamboo pipes joined together. Its most important component is the metal reed that generates sound.

“The reed must be made from old silver or pure copper, hammered into a very thin sheet and carefully shaped by hand. Even the slightest error will cause the instrument to sound out of tune. When completed, the sound should be clear and haunting, like the wind sweeping through the mountains,” Pa Hoi explained.

Passing the tradition to the next generation

After decades of dedication, Pa Hoi has crafted dozens of Ta Lu lutes and Khen Be panpipes for community activities and traditional festivals. Many of the instruments he has made have accompanied cultural performance groups to events across Vietnam.

What concerns him most is the declining interest among younger generations in traditional musical instruments. Many young people today are drawn more to modern music than to the melodies inherited from their ancestors.

Driven by a strong sense of responsibility and passion, Pa Hoi has made cultural transmission a central part of his life's work. Anyone interested in learning is welcomed and taught free of charge. He also encourages younger members of his family to learn how to play and craft the traditional instruments of their people.

“The Ta Lu lute and Khen Be panpipe embody the cultural essence of the Bru Van Kieu people. If there is no one to continue the tradition, it will eventually disappear,” he said.

At festivals and community gatherings, Pa Hoi actively performs and teaches local youth how to play the instruments. For him, these efforts are essential to ensuring traditional music remains relevant and cherished by younger generations.

“I believe that as long as young people continue to love the sounds of their ancestors’ instruments, the cultural spirit of the Bru Van Kieu people will continue to live on throughout the vast Truong Son mountains,” he said.

According to Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, Vice Chairwoman of the Lao Bao Commune People's Committee in Quang Tri Province, artisans such as Pa Hoi are living repositories of ethnic cultural heritage.

“The local authorities will continue creating opportunities for artisans to teach, perform and showcase traditional musical instruments during festivals and cultural events. This is an important way to preserve and promote traditional cultural values while supporting socio-economic development,” she said.

Tien Pham