By blending traditional dances into cultural exchanges with foreign visitors, Sung Manh Hung has created a welcoming image of Vietnam, inspiring many travelers to return for another experience.
At 8 pm in his small café in Dong Van Commune, Tuyen Quang province, the atmosphere comes alive as familiar Vietnamese songs fill the room. Under the soft yellow lights, Hung sways passionately to the rhythm while 30 to 40 international guests clap and dance along.
“There is no difference here between domestic and international guests, only hearts that love music and the joy of discovery,” Hung said with a smile.
Born on the Dong Van plateau, Hung grew up surrounded by the sounds of the traditional khene, local dances, and earthen houses. After years away studying, he returned to pursue community-based tourism and promote traditional culture, a path he describes as both a passion and a responsibility.
Hung now works at the Dong Van Cultural Centre while running his café and hosting cultural activities. For him, tourism is not just about showcasing landscapes but also about giving visitors a sense of safety and peace.
What makes his approach stand out is the way he integrates music and dance. From khene dances and bamboo pole jumping to xoè and adapted folk moves, Hung creates spaces where people of all nationalities hold hands, laugh, and move in rhythm. Videos of these nights have quickly spread online, drawing more travelers to Dong Van.
“I never studied dance professionally, I learned directly from international visitors and everyday life,” he explained. His choreography often incorporates daily activities like harvesting rice, pounding maize, or catching fish, making the performances relatable and lively. Visitors are not just spectators but participants in the local way of life.
Hung believes music is “the common language of humanity,” a bridge that dissolves cultural barriers and connects people heart to heart.
For Roaily, a young traveler from London, the experience was unforgettable. After exploring Hanoi, she and two friends journeyed to Dong Van, attracted by tales of its dramatic mountains and slower pace of life.
On a campfire night, amid the sound of the Mong khene and drums, Hung invited her to join the circle dance. At first hesitant, she soon found herself caught up in the joyous rhythm. “When I held hands with others and moved to the beat, I felt something very special, both uplifting and deeply familiar,” she recalled.
Roaily compared the night to street festivals she had attended in Europe, but said this felt uniquely warm and heartfelt. “People here don’t just dance for fun, they dance to share their love for their homeland and culture. That truly touched me,” she said.
Her video of the campfire dance has since drawn tens of thousands of views, with many online viewers expressing surprise at Dong Van’s simple beauty. But for her, the deeper value was the human connection. “Dong Van gave me more than a trip, it gave me a memory I know I’ll share again and again. And someday, I’ll come back,” she said.
Many other groups of visitors have expressed similar feelings, staying in touch with Hung and local residents after their trips, sending photos, and promising to return.
For Hung, introducing Vietnamese culture through music and dance is more than entertainment, it is a mission. Each beat of the drum and each step in the dance carries the story of daily life, traditions, and the spirit of Vietnam’s highland communities.