Family of 4 generations living with Hue singing

Artist Nguyen The, Chairman of the Hue Folk Literature Association, took us to Toa Kham ferry. The water surface was calm, and as the ferry left the dock, pentatonic melodies echoed across the river. There was a family that had lived there for four generations with the art of Hue singing.

This family, who have lived their entire lives with Hue singing, welcomed us warmly. They introduced each member who has been a part of the Hue singing club, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary on August 22.

Mr. Vo Que, the narrator, said that in 1980, there was a boatman named Doi at this wharf. He carved his name on the side of the boat with the words "Do anh Doi" - read as "Doi anh do". This was the first boat to experiment with organizing Hue singing to serve tourists.

Gradually, Mr. Doi and many people developed Hue singing on the Perfume River into an indispensable cultural activity in the ancient capital. In 1983, the Hue singing club was born.

Meritorious Artist Kim Vang (right) and artist Chau Loan perform the "Mother Suot" opera on the Huong River.

According to Mr. Vo Que, with the gentle flow of the Perfume River, the sounds of Hue folk songs will touch the water surface and then “return” to the boat. Therefore, Hue folk songs on the Perfume River is an art.

The Hue singing family mentioned above originated from the artist couple Ngoc Yen - Kim Oanh. The whole extended family - from sons, daughters to sons-in-law and grandchildren - are all active in the field of Hue singing art. The eldest son - People's Artist Ngoc Binh - is considered a precious talent of the Hue opera stage.

In 2000, Ngoc Binh tried his hand at portraying Uncle Ho in the play "Epic Music and Dance". This role left a deep impression on audiences from many regions. Not only is he a talented actor, he is also the director of more than 100 plays of various genres, most notably Hue singing.

This Hue singing family also has a daughter who is an artist Sao Mai, a great-grandchild who is a musician Khanh "bầu", a son-in-law who is an artist Dinh Hung, and more than 15 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who all participate in Hue singing under the guidance of Meritorious Artist Kim Vang (grandmother of Khanh "bầu").

Meritorious Artist Kim Vang confided: "My parents left a great legacy for their descendants, which is the art of Hue singing. Hue singing was formed as a cultural stream and we will cling to this stream, passing it on to future generations to preserve and cherish together."

Meritorious Artist Kim Vang said that no matter how difficult life is, her family prioritizes passing on the profession, not letting Hue singing be lost. Artist Kim Vang boasted that in 1995, her brother, People's Artist Ngoc Binh, held the important position of Head of the Hue Opera Troupe. He traveled everywhere to call on his brothers and sisters who were wandering in many different professions to return to the troupe to practice and build programs imbued with Hue's identity.

Under the guidance of People's Artist Ngoc Binh, Hue Opera and Drama Troupe has increasingly affirmed its position as a traditional theatrical form to audiences at home and abroad. In 1997, Hue Opera and Drama Troupe was honored to receive the Second Class Labor Medal.

Musician Khanh "boss" proudly said: "The Hue Singing Club is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary. As the next generation, we always strive to preserve the standards of Hue singing, so that visitors to the ancient capital will not be able to help but be attached to the boat and the melodies of Hue singing performing art on the poetic Huong River".

In addition to the Hue singing family mentioned above, the ancient capital also has artisan Ha Trung (specializing in zither) and master Dinh Hung (Hue Conservatory of Music) who are also very active in teaching many young people who love traditional musical instruments, so that they can both play and sing Hue songs.

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