Description: The Dan-Tinh is a two stringed lute found amongst the Nung, Tay and Thai ethnic groups in Northern Vietnam. The Tay people call this instrument "Tin Tau", in the Tay language the term “tinh” means lute and “tau” means gourd. In both the Nung and the Tay ethnic groups the tinh is played for during ceremonies and it is played by the women. The Tai people play the tinh lute for the xoe dance, it is played by both male and female musicians. The components for the dan-tinh include a body, neck, bridge, tuning pegs, nut and strings. The resonance chamber is constructed from a gourd and a surface of a soft wood. The profile of the head stock is shaped like a sickle. The estimated length of the dan-tinh ranges from 75 cm to 96 cm. Small sound holes are cut into the bottom of the gourd. The neck is carved from either thung much wood or strawberry wood. The dan-tinh may have two or three strings and tuning pegs. The bridge is shaped like a trapezium it is either made from bamboo or wood. Strings were traditionally from silk although most musicians use synthetic nylon fishing line.