As part of our final project, our group of five students majoring in Multimedia Communication Management atFPT University Hanoi chose and collaborated on a musical performance and interaction program called "Diệu Thanh".

The idea came from the results of the first two weeks of survey, research and evaluation. We conducted an in-depth survey with nearly 200 students inside and outside the school, through online questionnaires and group interviews. The results were both worrying and hopeful: 72% of the young people surveyed knew about traditional musical instruments, especially flutes and drums; 92% had never participated in a full traditional musical instrument performance. However, after analysis, we found a positive sign, 73.6% of the respondents expressed curiosity and wanted to learn if there was an approach. In particular, 65% of the respondents were interested in the idea of ​​"blending" traditional music with modern genres such as EDM, Hip-hop, Lo-fi.

Survey chart of awareness of traditional musical instruments.

In particular, 83% of respondents are willing to share or spread content about traditional musical instruments. This is a positive sign for the project.

From these numbers, we conclude: Gen Z is not rejecting traditional culture, they are rejecting the old, disengaged, and disconnected way of delivering it. They want peer-to-peer dialogue, a multi-sensory experience, and above all, an opportunity to recreate, not just re-enact, heritage.

With that analysis, our group agreed to carry out the goal: "Turning heritage into dialogue: When Gen Z continues to write the story of Vietnamese sound". And we chose the message "Keep the music - Keep the source" because of its brevity, rich rhythm and symbolism. Also because the meaning has a nuance of sharing, suggesting a common responsibility, gentle but profound.

Display table of media publications of the program "Dieu Thanh".

From here we build a 3-layer message architecture: Awareness layer: "What does a traditional musical instrument sound like?", to arouse pure curiosity about sound. Feeling layer: "Wow, this sound is so familiar and beautiful!", aiming to connect emotions, creating empathy. Action layer: "I also want to try playing/remixing/sharing!", turning emotions into concrete actions.

The entire content strategy that followed revolved around this architecture, ensuring that the audience not only "knew", but also "felt" and ultimately "participated" in Dieu Thanh's journey. Our success in inviting Lieutenant Colonel, Meritorious Artist Le Thi Van Mai, a famous and very selective artist, to appear in the media was a miracle.

The group prepared a detailed proposal, focusing less on numbers or media benefits and more on the project's vision and passion. This sincerity and seriousness touched the artist's heart. And then, Meritorious Artist Lê Thị Vân Mai accepted the offer, moving the entire group to tears.

Lieutenant Colonel, Meritorious Artist Le Thi Van Mai in the program "Dieu Thanh".

On November 22nd, in Hanoi , the "Dieu Thanh" program officially took place. This was not just a performance, but a culmination of emotions, a convergence of all efforts, and the most vivid proof of the power of connection.

The program opened with simple yet evocative folk melodies, bringing the audience back to the familiar sounds of Vietnamese culture. When modern elements were delicately woven into the performance, the message that “tradition and modernity are not opposed, but can blend to create something wonderful” was clearly expressed. This combination not only renewed the musical experience, but also touched the audience’s emotions, making them feel the vibrant beauty of heritage in today’s life.

Student group performing the program "Dieu Thanh" and Lieutenant Colonel, Meritorious Artist Le Thi Van Mai (wearing ao dai).

When Meritorious Artist Le Thi Van Mai appeared to interact with the audience, the entire hall fell silent. She said: "When I received Dieu Thanh's invitation, I was very hesitant. But when I heard the students share about the project, about their Facebook posts, about the hashtag, I knew that this was not just a formality."

Meritorious Artist Le Thi Van Mai expressed her emotion when seeing the image of students producing content themselves, learning how to film, edit videos, write scripts, research documents, and then standing on stage to introduce each musical instrument with eyes full of pride. She called it "the most genuine spread", because it came from true love, not from compulsion. The stage lights had just turned off, the auditorium was left with only the warmth of applause, like the last layer of dew still lingering in the air. We packed up the props in a state of exhaustion and excitement, because everyone knew they had just touched something very old yet very new.

From those moments, we realized that the group's first project was not only a story about music, but also a milestone of maturity for each member. I understood that in order for Gen Z to preserve culture, we must truly listen, appreciate and continue sincerely.

In an era of rapid technological development, the sounds of traditional musical instruments will gradually fade away if they are not revived and renewed. And when those ancient sounds find their way back into the hearts of today's youth, that is "Diệu Thanh" (Mysterious Sound).

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/dieu-thanh-va-hanh-trinh-cham-den-trai-tim-gen-z-1016087