Story: Huong Quynh
Photos: Phan Nguyen

As I watch a video clip by R’Com Bus, nicknamed “the Central Highlands’ Tarzan”, I sway to his music and feel the vigor and hints of wildness of this sturdy young Gia Rai man with his glossy brown skin. The 22-year-old smiles gently, his eyes lighting up when he talks about his passion for Central Highlands music.

Musicians in Vietnam’s Central Highlands play traditional instruments

Q: R’Com Bus, many people enjoy watching videos of you swinging on ropes, climbing cliffs, and navigating waterfalls. I’m even more captivated when I hear you sing and watch you play traditional musical instruments because you seem completely immersed in that musical realm. How have you nurtured your passion for music?

A: I encountered traditional instruments at the age of 10,  during community music activities. My teacher Mr. Siu Thum, an artisan who crafts traditional instruments, recognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue music. I drew inspiration from Mr. Siu Thum, who nurtured my passion for music through singing lessons, instrument practice, and performances. I also explored and learned to play various traditional Central Highlands instruments independently.

Q: Which traditional instruments can you play, and which one do you love the most?

A: I can play over 10 instruments from the Central Highlands. Besides gongs and drums, I play flutes like the bamboo flute, vertical flute, percussive flutes, and stringed instruments like the k’rong put, t’rung, k’ni, lithophone, and ro het. I enjoy playing the k’rong put the most because of its unique sound—both lively and mysterious. This instrument is commonly featured in traditional festivals. Crafting a k’rong put also showcases the creativity of Central Highlands people, as it incorporates bamboo tubes readily found in our vast forests.

R’Com Bus performs with a young drummer

Q: As well as practicing and learning, you’re very active in teaching children in your village. Have you faced any challenges in igniting kids’ passion and teaching music?

A: Specific difficulties aren’t important, but the process must be consistent and long-term. Through my music and singing, I aim to attract kids’ attention, then explain which instruments are suited to various contexts. Many children are shy, so I encourage them, foster their confidence, and instill a sense of national pride to help them overcome these barriers. I believe the vitality of each instrument must be maintained within the community’s cultural activities. Whenever there’s a communal event, I volunteer to participate and coordinate performances so many people have the chance to showcase their talents together. Preserving the traditional cultural features of the Central Highlands is important to local authorities. Recently, districts have been allocated funds for musical activities and the purchase of materials to craft instruments.

Q: Many people refer to you as an “ambassador”, promoting the Central Highlands’ culture and tourism. Do you feel any pressure from this?

A: I’m pleased by that term since, working in the field of arts, I want to help promote the traditions and beauty of Central Highlands culture. At the end of 2023, I was extremely proud to be the youngest member of a delegation of artisans from Gia Lai invited to the World Sound Festival in South Korea. It gave me great joy to share my music and singing to help promote Central Highlands culture, Vietnamese culture, and the tourist destinations of my homeland, Gia Lai.

R’Com Bus plays a sacred gong on a mountain top

Q: Many people know you through social media. How has digital technology helped you to spread your joy?

A: Indeed, I’m very fortunate to live in this era because geographical distance is no longer a barrier when my videos on social media are viewed worldwide. Some foreign friends reach out to inquire about the instruments I play. They plan to visit Vietnam and explore Central Highlands music. Upon meeting me, many tourists are delighted to experiment with instruments like gongs, drums, and more. That simple joy motivates me to explore new forms of expression, compose music, and practice traditional instruments along with modified ones like the klek klok created by Meritorious Artisan Rocham Tih. From there, along with teachers and fellow lovers of our homeland, I produce clips to share on social media, spreading the unique cultural values of the Central Highlands.

Thank you, R’Com Bus. I wish you endless passion for Central Highlands music!