Quan Ho folk songs "ancient trees"
Having lived through two centuries and being the oldest Quan Ho folk singer in the province, People's Artist Tran Thi Phung, 103 years old, from Diem village (formerly Viem Xa residential area, Kinh Bac ward), has dedicated nearly 90 years to the art of Quan Ho singing. In 2010, Ms. Phung was awarded the title of Quan Ho Folk Artist by the Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee in the first round of awards, and in 2019, she was honored by the State as a People's Artist. Having persistently performed Quan Ho for two centuries, Ms. Phung knows every verse and style, from La Rang, Hu La, Tinh Tang, Cay Gao… to various other melodies. When asked how many verses she remembers, she just smiles: "I remember them as I sing them; I could sing for three days straight and still not run out of verses." She wholeheartedly teaches anyone who asks for her verses, without reservation or keeping any secrets. Many generations of Quan Ho singers from the commune and surrounding villages have grown up learning Quan Ho from her.
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People's Artisan, Meritorious Artist Ta Thi Hinh (far right) teaches how to prepare betel quid in the shape of a phoenix wing. |
The life of the elderly artisan from Diem village was filled with hardships and difficulties. Unable to have children, Mrs. Phung personally went to find a second wife for her husband. In the years that followed, the second wife of the Quan Ho folk singer diligently managed her husband's household, living with tolerance, harmony, and devotedly caring for her husband's children from his previous marriage. When her husband and second wife passed away, and her children moved south to start their own lives, she lived alone in her small house in the middle of the village. She said that her longevity was thanks to Quan Ho folk singing, and the joy it brought. Although her age was like a flickering lamp running out of oil, her love and passion for Quan Ho folk singing never faded.
A member of the next generation, People's Artist Ta Thi Hinh from Bo Son village (Vo Cuong ward) is currently the only Quan Ho artist in the province to be awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 2001. She spent a long time teaching Quan Ho at art schools in Bac Giang and Bac Ninh (formerly). After teaching at the schools, she opened classes at her home. For many decades, she has trained countless generations of Quan Ho singers... Now over 80 years old, People's Artist Ta Thi Hinh continues to diligently teach and passionately preserve Quan Ho in community life, because, according to her, that is the solid foundation and the most powerful lifeblood of the heritage. The artist believes: "Our ancestors, despite poverty and hardship, slept on straw beds and covered themselves with simple blankets, yet they still managed to preserve a treasure trove of wealth; therefore, we must also know how to preserve it." The awards, titles, medals, and commemorative badges bestowed upon her by various levels of authority over the years are carefully preserved, a testament to a lifetime of dedication to Quan Ho folk music...
In the homeland of Quan Ho folk music today, the great masters and elderly artisans – these "living human treasures" – are still diligently passing on the heritage. One worry that weighs heavily on their minds is the possibility of passing away before they have had the chance to fully transmit the Quan Ho tradition...
Establishing libraries to protect and disseminate heritage.
In the field of Quan Ho folk singing in Bac Ninh province, there are currently 7 People's Artists, considered the soul of the heritage. Besides understanding the traditions, mastering the art of performance, and preserving the standards in teaching to prevent the heritage from being distorted, each artist has also chosen their own path, contributing to bringing new life to Quan Ho in the 21st century.
Mentioning the two artisans Nguyen Thi Sang and Nguyen Thi Them from Diem village, almost every Quan Ho enthusiast knows that they are sisters from a family of "traditional Quan Ho singers." Inheriting hundreds of ancient songs from their mother, the Sang-Them sisters are not only famous for their distinctive, resonant, and expressive voices, but also for their humility, meticulousness in their craft, and deep understanding of Quan Ho culture. For many years, the two artisans have devoted their efforts and money to collecting and preserving documents and artifacts related to traditional Quan Ho and established the Sang-Them Quan Ho Library to store, display, and introduce them to visitors from near and far. People's Artisan Nguyen Thi Them shared: "Starting from the costumes our mother left behind, my sister and I came up with the idea of collecting and preserving artifacts from previous generations with the aspiration to help future generations understand the true essence of Quan Ho singing." In recent years, the Sang-Them Quan Ho Library has become a familiar destination for heritage lovers.
In the ancient village of Thổ Hà (Vân Hà ward), People's Artist Nguyễn Phú Hiệp has also been involved with Quan Họ folk singing for over 30 years. He considers himself a "fun-loving" Quan Họ singer and is deeply aware of his responsibility to collect, teach, and spread this heritage. As the head of the club, he regularly maintains activities, practices, and organizes traditional Quan Họ singing sessions, and has also compiled and collected hundreds of ancient Quan Họ songs. Given the reality that many versions of ancient Quan Họ songs exist, and the available materials are scattered and difficult to access, in September 2025, People's Artist Nguyễn Phú Hiệp and his colleagues launched the Thổ Hà Quan Họ Electronic Library. This digital space aims to preserve and promote Thổ Hà Quan Họ, while also connecting with schools, organizing cultural tourism experiences, and expanding exchanges with the Quan Họ community both domestically and internationally.
Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/bg2/dulichbg/hanh-trinh-trao-truyen-di-san-van-hoa-quan-ho-postid437818.bbg
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