VietNamNet Bridge – Born in the northern province of Hai Duong, musician Vu Huy Hoang has spent the last 10 years living with Co Tu ethnic minorities in the central province of Quang Nam to learn their language and folk songs.

The songs he has collected have been played on Radio the Voice of Vietnam for the Co Tu living in the Truong Son range. Hoang has such close ties to the Co Tu that they have named him Bhriu Huy Hoang.

Hoang met Bhriu Liec, former Chairman of the Tay Giang People’s Committee, during Liec’s trip to Hanoi. Liec’s story made Hoang very passionate about Tay Giang and the folk melodies of the Co Tu.

After approximately 10 years, Hoang has become like a Co Tu and can communicate in their language.

Hoang said “I’ve traveled from one village to another to attend festivals and to meet elderly people to learn about Co Tu folk songs. At first, I did not understand the Co Tu language so I had to record the songs and later asked someone to translate them. I’ve had to learn both the melodies and lyrics in order to make my songs as much like those of the Co Tu as possible. Some people wonder why my songs sound very familiar to the Cotu. I just smile and say that I’m a new member.”

Hoang has collected more than 200 songs and has released 2 CDs of Co Tu folk songs thanks to the support of the Tay Giang authorities.

Listening to young people in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Da Nang sing along with the songs on his CDs makes Hoang very happy.

He said “Only a few people, most of them elderly, know the original melodies of the Co Tu. It’s difficult to talk to them because they only speak their own language. I just ask them to sing for a recording and I’ll have the lyrics translated later. It’s a joy to write songs for the Co Tu and I will do my best to write as many songs as possible.”

Hoang often sings Co Tu songs and plays Co Tu instruments when he gets together with his friends. Artists in local art troupes were the first people to learn Hoang’s songs and teach them to children in their villages.

Bling Thi Vui of Ta Vang village said “Hoang comes here every two months to teach us how to sing. We love to sing his songs.”

Po Loong Trung Kien, A Rat Cuc, Bhling Thi Ooch, and Alang Thi Duyen of Tay Giang district’s Center for Culture, Information, and Sports are among the singers most popular with the public. They are all Hoang’s students.

Alang Thi Duyen said “Hoang has been working hard to learn the Co Tu language, culture, and traditions and then pass them on to the younger generation. We treasure what he has done and will do our best to make the Co Tu culture known to other ethnic minorities.”

VOV5