Preserving the spirit of the boatman

Through countless ups and downs and changes, fishermen in the coastal wards of Son Tra, Dien Ban Dong, etc., still cling to their villages and homeland, preserving every word and melody of the Ba Trao folk singing art. For them, Ba Trao folk singing is a distinctive spiritual cultural feature, an expression of reverence for the sea and gratitude to the Whale God (Duc Ong).

Mr. Ho Van Muoi sings traditional folk songs at Thong Nhat beach, Ha Quang Bac neighborhood (Dien Ban Dong ward) during the Cau Ngu festival and the launch of the 2026 southern fishing season. Photo: HV

Under the golden sun, white sand, and vast waves, the melodious and clear singing of Mr. Ho Van Muoi (60 years old) at Thong Nhat beach, Ha Quang Bac neighborhood (Dien Ban Dong ward) during the Fishing Festival and the launch of the 2026 Southern fishing season resonated like a refreshing coolness on the sweltering summer days.

Mr. Mười is the captain of the Hà Quảng Bắc traditional dance club. In his role as the leader, he acts as the guide, holding a pair of red bamboo clappers in both hands to direct the formation. Looking at his appearance, his powerful strides, and the sound of his voice—sometimes sweet, sometimes resounding like waves—with the opening lines, "Like me, I live in the coastal region near the mountains and rivers. Throughout the land, the rain and wind are favorable. Birds in the sky spread their wings and sing. Fish in the water swim leisurely...", it sent shivers down my spine.

In our conversation, Mr. Mười explained that anyone born in a coastal area has their way of life and thinking deeply ingrained in the folk songs of the "bả trạo" region. Because the people make their living from the sea, they are always grateful to the ocean and the Whale God for protecting them during rough seas and strong winds.

Thus, the lyrics of the "ba trao" song were born, expressing praise and sorrow when the whale washes ashore and dies, as well as showing gratitude to the vast ocean. The "ba trao" song is a wish for calm seas and gentle waves so that fishermen can venture out to sea and make a living. It can be said that the "ba trao" song is the soul of the Fishing Festival, the restoration of the mausoleum, or the construction of a new mausoleum.

Mr. Mười calculated that he had been involved with the "bả trạo" folk song for over 30 years. As a child, he witnessed the "bả trạo" songs in the traditional rituals of worshipping the Whale God, which gradually fostered his love for them. Later, he decided to learn the songs from the elders in the village.

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Gradually, he rose from the position of helmsman to chief of the hold, chief of the stern, and then chief of the bow, handling all responsibilities perfectly. He said that he used to be a fisherman, but now, being older, he has switched to a different job. Despite being busy, because of his passion for singing, he always makes time to actively practice with the members of the club, especially when the village has festivals or celebrations.

What impressed me most in the Ba Trao singing group was Mrs. Pham Thi Chin (70 years old), who serves as the head of the group and is a member of the Ha Quang Bac Ba Trao Club. This is because it's rare to find a female member in the group, even though the original Ba Trao style includes both male and female singers.

Ms. Chin confided that she started practicing singing when she was eighteen. Initially, she learned to sing traditional opera, but later switched to folk singing because the two genres have similar rhymes. Learning folk singing is quite difficult without a good voice and perseverance.

“Having been involved with the traditional folk songs for nearly 40 years, I not only sing them but also collect and write lyrics for each segment of each song. That is the dedication and pride that I and the members of the club have for the folk songs. I hope that in the future, the folk songs will continue to inspire more people,” Mrs. Chin said thoughtfully.

According to Mr. Le Thanh Long, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Ban Dong ward, there is currently one Ba Trao singing club with 20 members in the area.

To preserve the beauty and significance of the Ba Trao folk singing tradition, the ward will continue to review and recommend suitable personnel for the club and support the procedures and documents related to adjusting and adding members. Afterward, training will be organized for members, and support will be provided with equipment, tools, sound systems, etc. When events or festivals occur, the ward will invite the club to perform to promote and publicize the tradition to residents and tourists.

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Previously, the People's Committee of Nai Hien Dong ward (formerly) established a Ba Trao singing club to contribute to educating all levels of the population, especially the younger generation, to preserve and promote the intangible cultural values ​​of the nation. At the same time, it connected with organizations, units, and hotels in the area to incorporate the club's performances into tourist tours or provide on-site entertainment for tourists, thereby preserving the art of Ba Trao singing.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/giu-hon-ba-trao-3339600.html