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Vietnam, one of Southeast Asian countries, has 54 ethnic groups. They generated a unique type of arts long time ago: music of gong. Gong music exists under folk arts form, which connects closely to yearly traditional festivals. Gong music is very various and each ethnic group has its own structure of gong set, specific musical characteristics and performance. The disc “Vietnamese gongs 1” introduces some melodies in the worthy gong music treasure.

1. Gong of the Mường ethnic group in Hòa Bình province: Being gong music of the Mường people living in the mountain of the North of Vietnam in Hòa Bình province. The gong set of the Mường ethnic group has from 6 to 12 ones with knob (gong with knob in the middle and its edge folds down). “Đi đường” melody is one of the traditional performances in “Sắc bùa” activity in the new year when gong players come to each family to wish a Happy New Year.

2. Chinh Honh of the Banar ethnic group: is a popular gong of the Giarai and Banar ethnic groups. The set of Ching Honh has at least 10 ones including 3 gongs with knob and 7 flat gongs (having flat surface and the edge has folded down wall). “X'trǎng” (killing buffalo to celebrating military victory) is a ritual gong performed in “X'trǎng” festival of the Banar ethnic group. It combines with a big drum, some cymbals to become background music for khiên dance, describing a fierce fight of wise and brave soldiers and the joy of victory of the whole community.

3. Gong of the Raglây ethic group: The Raglây people live in Ninh Thuận province. The gong set consists of 7 flat-gongs and Sagor drum (large drum) and Talakarơ pan-pipe. “Atothar  n” melody is performed in the house or outdoor when there is a funeral or calamity causing risks for people.

4. Gong of the Êđê Kpá ethnic group: Êđê people live in Đắc Lắc province. The gong set of the Êđe ethnic group includes 9 gongs (7 flat-gongs and 2 gongs with knob) and one Hơgơr drum (large drum). “Chiriria” melody is a gong melody which is imitated from a folk tune of the Êđê ethnic group. It is performed in festivals of the villagers.

5. Gong of the Giarai ethnic group: Giarai people live in the mountainous area of the North of the highland in Kontum provinces, Gia Lai. The structure of the gong set of the Giarai ethnic group is similar to that of Banar ethnic group (see Ching Honh of the Banar ethnic group). “Mừng nhà mới” (New house congratulation) melody is ritual one performed in celebration for inaugurating a new house on stilts of the villagers.

6. Gong of the Banar ethnic group: As introduced above in the melody two (chinh Honh), this tune is one of the melodies performed in the buffalo killing festival.

7. D’rong gong of the Mạ ethnic group: “Kiến đǎm đ’ru” tune is performed in village festival of the Mạ ethnic group living in the highland of the South of Vietnam.

8. Gong of the Mường ethnic group in Hoà Bình province: “Lóng ba” tune. The gong set of the Mường ethnic group in Hoà Bình province consists of 4 gongs playing melody and the others playing simultaneity to accompany melody. Four gongs for playing melody are called four lóng. “Lóng ba” tune is a gong music, which has 3 sounds, and is called three lóng.

9. Chinh honh of the Banar ethnic group: “Skapo” tune means killing buffalo tune. Skapo tune is a ritual one to worship deity for saving. It is performed in celebration for killing buffalo of the Banar ethnic group.

10. Gong of the Êđe Kpá ethnic group: “Chiêng cúng lúa” tune (gong for sacrificing rice). See item 4 - introduction about gong of the Êđe ethnic group. “Chiêng cúng lúa” tune is performed in the rituals for worshipping rice deity in festival for celebrating new rice, praying “the soul of rice” coming to the village.

11. Gong of the Giarai ethnic group: Sacrificing rice tune, in term of meaning, it is similar to that of the Êđe Kpá ethnic group. See item 10.

12. Gong of the Pakô ethnic group: It introduces a gong tune performed in a village festival day of Pakô people - an ethnic group living in the Central Highland.

13. Gong of the M’nông R’lǎm ethnic group: M’nông R’lǎm lives in Đắc Lắc province of the Highland of Vietnam. The gong set of the M’nông ethnic group consists of 3 flat-gongs, 25 to 35 cm in diameter. Each person plays one. “Kết bạn” (Making friend) tune is played in the festivals of the village.

14. Gong of the Xê drá ethnic group: The Xê drá ethnic group is one of ethnic groups living in the Highland of Vietnam. “Chiêng đâm trâu” (gong for killing buffalo) is played in the festival for killing buffalo to sacrifice deity for saving.

15. Gong of the M’nông gar ethnic group: the M’nông gar ethnic group lives in Đắc Lắc province of the Highland of Vietnam. The gong set includes 6 flat-gongs with the quite big size, about 30-45 cm in diameter and a two- surface drum covered by buffalo’s skin. “Rơ Leh” tune is a gong music often played in game for talent competition of youth in traditional festivals.

16. Gong of the Êđê Kpá ethnic group: Takta tune is imitated from Đinh Takta instrument. It is used to perform recitatives. Đinh takta is a wind instrument of reed branch and the reed is put in the gourd. When performing, it is transversally taken to blow and the stem of gourd is used to make blowing spout. It has three holes: two holes upper and one hole below. It is a popular instrument of the Êđe ethnic group.

17. Gong of the Banar ethnic group: “Pruh” tune is performed in funeral when carrying earth to make the grave.

18. Đ’vông gong of the Mạ ethnic group: “Đánh trong ngày vui” tune (Playing in happy day)

19. Gong of the Rơmǎm ethnic group: T’rum tune is a ritual one performed when killing buffalo in the buffalo killing festival of the Rơmǎm ethnic group - living in the North Highland of Vietnam.

20. Gong of the Giơrai ethnic group: this tune is played in Pơthi religious celebration. Pơthi religious celebration is a “Bỏ mả” ceremony - the largest cerebration of the Giơrai ethnic group in year. “Bỏ mả” ceremony is held to see off a dead relative coming to the world of souls so that the dead’s soul does not attach to the world of the living.

21. Gong of the M’nông R’lǎm ethnic group: Chúc phúc (blessing) tune is performed in village festivals of the M’nông ethnic group in Đắc Lắc province.

22. Gong of the Mường ethnic group in Hoà Bình: Bồng bốn tune. This tune is also called “Lóng bốn” or “Đi đường xa” (going far road). According to the agreement of people, this is a gong music with four sounds (four lóng) played in going spring from this village to other ones to wish a happy New Year by Bùa company.