Preserving national culture in the university environment.

(NLĐO) - The Folk Song Club of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics has been entrusted with the responsibility of spreading the beauty of Vietnamese culture to international friends through exchange activities at the university.

On the evening of May 27th, the 30th anniversary celebration of the Folk Music Club of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), themed "Returning Home," took place, marking an important milestone in the journey of preserving and spreading traditional Vietnamese music by generations of UEH students.

Thirty years is a long enough journey to mark the efforts, passion, and dedication of many generations of members of the UEH Folk Song Club. From its early days to the present, the club has steadfastly preserved its love for Vietnamese folk songs – simple yet culturally rich melodies, deeply intertwined with memories of the homeland.

Images of the club from its early days.

The UEH Folk Song Club is one of the few student clubs with a long history of association with the UEH Student Union. This enduring existence not only signifies a movement but also demonstrates an effort to preserve national cultural identity within the university education environment.

In the context of integration, UEH aims to attract 3% - 5% international students in the near future. In reality, international students coming to Vietnam tend to appreciate and want to learn about traditional Vietnamese music more than modern music genres that are already popular globally. Therefore, the UEH Folk Music Club is entrusted with the responsibility of becoming "ambassadors" to spread the beauty of Vietnamese culture to international friends through exchange activities at the university.

The artistic space of "Finding Our Way Back" not only recreates the 30-year journey but also opens up expectations for a new chapter, where traditional Vietnamese music continues to be embraced and spread within the contemporary context.

Sharing about the club's formation process, Dr. Nguyen Thien Duy (who signed the decision to establish the Folk Song Club) recalled: "Many student groups presented proposals to establish academic clubs related to their majors. But I was particularly surprised that economics students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics showed such deep interest in national culture and wanted to establish a cultural and artistic club closely associated with folk songs."

Dr. Nguyen Thien Duy reviews the milestones of the UEH Folk Song Club's 30-year history, from student ideas to the journey of spreading traditional Vietnamese music within the university environment.

From its early days, with a small group of 10-20 people, the members struggled with everything from borrowing halls to recruiting students. Thanks to the foundation laid by the arts and culture preservation activities and the spirit of cultural preservation, the UEH Folk Song Club was officially established in 1996.

During the anniversary celebration, the appearance of singer Cam Ly brought many emotions to the audience. The female singer shared her joy at seeing students still showing affection for traditional Vietnamese music and emphasized that folk music is a source that nourishes the soul of the Vietnamese people, formed from the lullabies of grandmothers and mothers, and will continue to endure even as music changes over time.

Singer Cam Ly also highly appreciated the efforts to maintain the UEH Folk Song Club for many years and hoped that this model would continue to develop even more strongly in the future.

The theme "Returning Home" not only signifies a reflection on the journey of development but also serves as a tribute to generations of students, teachers, and those who have accompanied, nurtured, and kept the flame alive for the past 30 years. At the same time, the "A Melody of Love" concert offers an artistic space that blends tradition and modernity, targeting young audiences, especially students in Ho Chi Minh City who appreciate national culture and art.

Over three decades, the UEH Folk Song Club has not only been a place for artistic activities but also a space for preserving cultural memories, contributing to bringing traditional Vietnamese music closer to the younger generation in the university environment and to international integration.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/gin-giu-van-hoa-dan-toc-trong-moi-truong-dai-hoc-196260527230952479.htm