In 2009, UNESCO recognized Quan Ho as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Quan Ho singing originated from the "hat canh" custom – the oldest Quan Ho singing tradition in Diem village, Hoa Long commune, Bac Ninh city. To this day, this place still preserves these ancient singing traditions as a precious part of Vietnamese culture.
A distinctive feature of Quan Ho folk singing is that the singers sit on mats while performing. The male and female singers don't need musical accompaniment or instruments, but their distinctive "resonant-sharp-rising" singing technique is enough to stir the hearts of the audience. Each singing session usually consists of three stages: the traditional style, the casual style, and the farewell style.
The costumes are always meticulously chosen and carefully prepared by the male and female singers of Quan Ho folk singing for each performance. For the male singers, the costume is not just about looking good, but also a way to express the elegance and formality of Quan Ho. Their long robes, with an inner layer of white brocade featuring delicate patterns, combined with white trousers, a black headscarf, and Gia Dinh shoes, create a sophisticated and elegant look. For the female singers, the robes consist of three layers of fabric (called "áo mớ ba"), with an outer layer of thin, dark brown silk. A glimpse of a delicate neckline is revealed, with two sashes tied at the nape of the neck, crossing over one shoulder. The waist is cinched in a flower-petal shape, combined with a red velvet headscarf and a black, beak-shaped headscarf tied into a lotus bud shape. The female singers wear curved sandals, a silver belt, and a conical hat, all blending together to create a beauty deeply rooted in the Kinh Bac region. 
The female singers in a Quan Ho folk singing performance.
The male singers in a Quan Ho folk singing performance. During the performance, the male and female singers sing in call-and-response style without musical instruments; only the Quan Ho techniques captivate the audience.
More specifically, Quan Ho singing becomes even more beautiful as the night progresses, with the voices of the male and female singers becoming more melodious and enchanting. They express themselves not only through lyrics but also through the profound spirit and emotions conveyed in each word. A Quan Ho singing session only ends when all the call-and-response verses are completed.
Despite the passage of time and the many changes in life, Quan Ho folk singing continues to exist and thrive as a symbol of the enduring vitality and resilience of Quan Ho culture. However, maintaining and developing this traditional form of call-and-response singing between men and women is not easy. It requires focus, investment, and a deep understanding of cultural heritage. Transmission from generation to generation is necessary to keep the flame of this cultural tradition burning brightly. In 2024, the "Happy Vietnam" photo and video contest will continue to be organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists on the website. https://happy.vietnam.vn is open to all Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above. The competition aims to honor individuals and groups with positive informational products that make practical contributions to promoting a beautiful image of Vietnam to the world . Through this, it helps people at home, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends access authentic images of Vietnam, its people, its achievements in ensuring human rights, and towards a happy Vietnam. Each competition category (photos and videos) has the following prizes and prize values: – 1 Gold Medal: 70,000,000 VND – 2 Silver Medals: 20,000,000 VND – 3 Bronze Medals: 10,000,000 VND – 10 Consolation Prizes: 5,000,000 VND – 1 Most Voted entry: 5,000,000 VND. Winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the Award Ceremony and Certificate Presentation, broadcast live on Vietnam Television. Vietnam.vn
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