Born and raised in Lieu hamlet, Ngoc Luong commune, Yen Thuy district - a village rich in cultural tradition, from an early age Mr. Quach Cong Son was immersed in Cheo singing melodies. Therefore, although life is still difficult and difficult, Mr. Son is aware of the need to preserve the unique cultural values of his homeland. The passion for folk melodies continues to grow in his soul.
Mr. Quach Cong Son is guiding the members of Ngoc Luong Cheo singing club (Yen Thuy) to practice.
Introduced to the area in the 70s of the last century, Cheo singing has become an indispensable spiritual dish of the people in Yen Thuy district. To preserve and develop the art of Cheo in the locality, Mr. Son sought out the elders in the village and commune to restore.
and establish the "Ngoc Luong Cheo Club”, whose members are not only the people in the commune, but they are also in the other communes in the district inside and outside the province. He recorded each ancient Cheo singing for the club members to practice. In addition, he actively composed, arranged, and directed Cheo plays to participate in competitions, festivals at the levels of the district and province.
Mr. Quach Cong Son, the Chairman of Ngoc Luong Cheo Club says: "I am often invited by the government to be a director for Cheo performances to participate in competitions and fesstivals the levels of the district and province. Every time we participate there are also prizes. Ngoc Luong Cheo Club was also able to perform at the Central Government. This shows that the quality of the club's activities is increasingly improving, winning the love of the audience.”
The early days of establishing the club met many difficulties. Mr. Son had to travel everywhere in the commune, the district, and even outside the province to mobilize members to join the club. At that time, there weren't many people who knew how to sing Cheo, and there were even fewer people who knew how to play traditional musical instruments. After gathering a full team and being able to practice Cheo singing, the club encountered the difficulties due to not having a place to practice. Mr. Son discussed with his family to build and renovate his house into a cultural space, it was not only a place for the club to practice but it was also a place where folk music exchanges organized by Cheo club regularly took place.
Meeting Mr. Dang Duy Thien from Yen Tri commune (Yen Thuy), a member of Ngoc Luong Cheo club says: "With the passion for Cheo singing combined with the enthusiasm of the club leader, Mr. Quach Cong Son, convinced and motivated us to join the club. We have been participating in the club for nearly 5 years. We hope that Mr. Son will continue to develop his love for Cheo singing even more and develop Ngoc Luong Cheo Club to develop.”
More than 20 years of working in the job of "having meals at home, carrying social work” is a long time for Mr. Son to devote all his heart to the art of Cheo. Therefore, the reputation of Ngoc Luong Cheo Club is not limited to the district, in the province, but it has also been performing at the Central level. Thanks to long-term maintenance and the enthusiasm of the club members as well as Mr. Son personally, the singing of Cheo club is increasingly flying higher and farther.
Everything Mr. Quach Cong Son does to preserve Cheo singing is voluntary. He has the right to be proud of being the person who has contributed to preserving and developing the art of Cheo in Yen Thuy district. Currently, his greatest wish is that all levels and branches pay attention and support to continue maintaining Ngoc Luong Cheo Club, developing the art of Cheo, so that Cheo singing live forever in the hearts of the people.
As part of Project 6 under the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2024, Lạc Sơn District, Hoa Binh province focuses on diverse and practical activities to promote the project's goal: "Preserving and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in conjunction with tourism development."
After 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 04-NQ/TU, dated October 11, 2021 of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of Hoa Binh province's ethnic groups in the period of 2021 – 2025 with the orientation to 2030 (NQ04), it has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, the people from all walks of life and there have been positive changes. So far, out of the 10 targets of NQ04, 3 targets have been met and exceeded the plan set for 2025. Typically, 70% of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of ethnic groups in the province is on the list of the national ICH items and they have been protected and restored, exceeding 20% of the proposed Resolution.
Great National Unity Day has been recently celebrated in Duong hamlet, Vay Nua commune, Da Bac district, in an atmosphere of warmth and community spirit. The event highlighted national identity and strengthened the bond of solidarity among residents.
On November 28, the People's Committee of Cao Phong district organized the Cultural and Sports Festival of Cao Phong district's ethnic groups in 2024.
