Sơn Tùng M-TP Stands on Lạc Bird: Cultural Debate Engages Public and Artists

A recent music video by Vietnamese pop star Sơn Tùng M-TP has ignited a cultural debate online, centering on his use of the Lạc bird symbol, an ancient motif associated with Vietnamese identity and the Đông Sơn drum culture.

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I deeply share this concern. The Lạc bird is not just an ordinary decorative image. It is a symbol associated with the Đông Sơn bronze drum, ancestral memory, and the aspiration to fly of the ancient Vietnamese people, carrying the deep civilization of the nation.

The music video, "Come My Way," features the artist standing atop a stylized representation of the Lạc bird. This imagery has drawn criticism from some segments of the public who perceive it as disrespectful and lacking in cultural sensitivity. The Lạc bird is not merely decorative; it is a profound symbol linked to the Đông Sơn civilization, representing ancestral memory and the aspiration for flight among ancient Vietnamese people.

However, others argue that the depiction should be viewed within the context of contemporary artistic expression. They contend that the Lạc bird in the video is not a literal artifact being desecrated but a visual metaphor, a symbol of soaring aspiration and an artistic vehicle for conveying the artist's desire to reach a global audience. The video also incorporates other Vietnamese cultural elements, such as Xuân Phả mask dance motifs, Tràng An landscapes, and Lý dynasty dragon patterns.

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However, I believe we need to distinguish between an act of insult in real life and metaphorical language in a contemporary work of art. In the MV, the Lạc bird does not appear as a specific artifact to be trampled or belittled, but is recreated as a visual figure, a soaring symbol, an artistic 'vehicle' to express the aspiration to reach out to the world.

Associate Professor Dr. Bùi Hoài Sơn, a member of the National Assembly's Culture and Education Committee, suggests that such controversies highlight the public's deep connection to and sensitivity towards national cultural symbols. He advocates for cultural dialogue, emphasizing that while the public has the right to remind artists about the careful use of sacred symbols, artists also need to listen to ensure future creations are more nuanced. This debate, he believes, underscores a shared responsibility and love for Vietnamese cultural heritage.

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Culture does not develop through extremism but through dialogue, understanding, and a spirit of supportive creativity.