The Gie Trieng people are an ethnic group in Vietnam, they have a centuries-old traditional culture that fulfils all features of mountainous community. Most Gie Trieng live in 3 communes including La Dee, Dak Pre and Dak Pring that belong to the mountainous district Nam Giang, Quang Nam province.

Dinh Tut is a typical instrument used in annual festivals. The Dinh Tut consists of 6 hornless bamboo sections stet at one end by their natural nodes. Its length is 21-36.5 cm, and the diameter is 1.8-2.5 cm.Each tube produces a different tone. 

In the old days, the Gie Trieng blew through bamboo tubes to awaken the soul of the rice at new crop festivals. They have produced at least 10 kinds of bamboo flutes.

The Dinh Tut is the most popular one. A newborn child is welcomed by the sound of a Dinh Tut; at a wedding ceremony, the new couple is greeted by joyous melodies from this kind of flute; and when people return to Mother Earth, they are mourned by the Dinh Tut.

Zo Ram Nhia in Nam Giang district said “We arrange 6 bamboo tubes from narrow and short to big and long. In the past, our ancestors played the Dinh Tut at big events such as the New Year Festival.”

The Dinh Tut is played at new rice ceremonies, worship ceremonies of genies, and community meetings in the Rong house. When gongs open the festival, six boys play the Dinh Tut while the girls dance around a fire or Neu pole.

Hien Tiep in Trach My township, Nam Giang district said, “The Dinh Tut dance is the signature performance of the Gie Trieng. This is an opportunity for young people to learn from the elderly to protect our traditional dance.”

A Dinh Tut performance needs 6 to 8 men, including a leader. The Gie Trieng have eight Dinh Tut flute and dance performances for different events. The Gie Trieng also blow this flute when they relax after doing farm work.

Zo Ram Vanh, a Gie Trieng man in Thach My township, told  “It’s difficult to play the Dinh Tut, but we learn from the elders. Young people learn the Dinh Tut to preserve our tradition”. 

At New Year celebrations or other community events, the sound of gongs and Dinh Tut flutes echoes in the surrounding mountains and forests. This is a good signal of this community in the preservation and developing traditional music.