Let the Xoan folk song resonate…

These days, in the original Xoan singing troupes of Viet Tri city ( Phu Tho province), many masters, mistresses, and artisans are diligently practicing the best Xoan melodies to entertain visitors from all over during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day - Hung Temple Festival 2025. For them, Xoan singing is not just about songs and melodies, but also about pride and responsibility in preserving the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in the homeland of the Hung Kings.

Performing Xoan folk singing for international tourists. Photo: PT

Phu Tho Xoan singing is closely associated with the legend of the Hung Kings, making it particularly attractive to tourists . The lyrics, dances, and performance instruments are incredibly simple and rustic, yet the rhythm and melody are clear, strong, and powerful. Especially the drumming at the temple gate seems to urge and inspire, touching the most devout hearts of everyone in the space and program of "Ancient Village Xoan Singing" during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day - Hung Temple Festival every year.

Present at Xoan Phù Đức ward, Kim Đức commune, under the ancient communal house, the rhythmic sounds of drums and clappers harmonize with sweet singing voices and graceful dance movements, captivating and delighting everyone. Each drum beat, each clapper beat, each song is passed down with passion, love, and responsibility for the precious heritage of their homeland.

According to Nguyen Xuan Hoi, head of the Phu Duc Xoan singing troupe in Kim Duc commune, Phu Duc village has been practicing all the ancient Xoan singing melodies for several days now to perform during the Hung King's Commemoration Day on March 10th. At this year's Hung King's Temple Festival, the Phu Duc Xoan singing troupe will begin serving a large number of visitors from all over the country from the 6th day of the lunar month at the Lai Len shrine – the birthplace of Xoan singing since the time of the Hung Kings' founding of the nation.

Along with Phu Duc Xoan Ward, An Thai Xoan Ward in Phuong Lau Commune is harmonizing and diligently practicing ancient Xoan songs to serve at this year's Ancestor Commemoration Day. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lich, Head of An Thai Xoan Ward in Phuong Lau Commune, shared that An Thai Xoan Ward is actively practicing even the smallest details to serve visitors attending the festival at Hung Lo ancient communal house in Hung Lo Commune.

According to Ms. Lich, a Xoan performance consists of three stages: ritual singing, ceremonial singing, and courtship singing (festival singing). The content of the songs carries meanings of blessings, prayers, praise of the beauty of the homeland, love of labor, and love between men and women, all connected to the traditional culture of the nation. Xoan singing has simple, rustic melodies that are easy to perform. During the performance, the hand and foot movements must be coordinated rhythmically with the lyrics (singing, hand movements, toe movements). Hands are bent to form flower buds, and when opened, they become vibrant flower petals, captivating the hearts of many.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dac Thuy, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Phu Tho province, Xoan singing, which used to only resonate in communal courtyards during festivals, is now found throughout the ancestral land, spreading to ethnic minority areas in the province.

The organization of Xoan singing performances during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day - Hung Temple Festival every year aims to preserve, conserve, promote, and introduce the Xoan singing heritage and the Hung Kings worshiping belief in Phu Tho. Therefore, Xoan singing troupes in Phu Tho always strive to do their best, bringing the most beautiful and meaningful Xoan melodies to serve visitors from near and far who come to the ancestral land.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/de-cho-cau-xoan-vang-vong-10302279.html