Speakers interact and share stories about the heritage of Don Ca Tai Tu (Southern Vietnamese folk music); Photo: Manh Hao
On the evening of May 23rd, at the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, the community cultural storytelling program "Ancestral Silk - Heritage and Continuation" took place as part of the 5th Annual Book and Culture Night Festival, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street in collaboration with Chất Việt Explorians and Magiskator.
The program focuses on introducing the value of Southern Vietnamese folk music and singing, while also creating a space for exchange between researchers, artisans, and the public.
Through a cultural dialogue format combined with artistic performances, the program looks back at the formation and development of Southern Vietnamese folk music and the role of generations of music masters and artisans in preserving this art form.
This is a reenactment of the first act of the Cai Luong play "Luc Van Tien".
During the Q&A session, speakers including musician Kieu Tan, Meritorious Artist Huynh Khai, Meritorious Artist Huynh Huu Tri, and Master Nguyen Van Hoang shared many documents and stories related to senior music masters such as Cao Hoai Sang, Cao Quynh Cu, Cao Quynh Dieu, and Nguyen Van Thinh.
According to Meritorious Artist Huynh Khai, in the national dossier submitted to UNESCO to inscribe Southern Vietnamese folk music as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, 8 out of 20 songs are by music master Cao Hoai Sang. This shows his important contribution to the formation and development of Southern Vietnamese folk music.
According to Master's degree holder Nguyen Van Hoang, studying the origins of traditional music not only helps to look back at the history of art but also contributes to understanding the indigenous cultural values that have nurtured the spiritual life of the people of Southern Vietnam for many generations.
"Without the generations of senior artisans who silently preserved the traditional music of Southern Vietnam, passed on their skills, and kept the records, it would be difficult for us to imagine the rich tapestry of Southern Vietnamese folk music ," People's Artist Thanh Tuyet confided.
NNND Thanh Tuyet performing at the show; photo: Manh Hao
One of the highlights of the program is the reenactment of the first act of the Cai Luong play Luc Van Tien , with lyrics written by music master Cao Hoai Sang and directed by music master Cao Quynh Cu from 1923.
Drawing on documents preserved for over 100 years, the production team recreated the "monologue singing" form - an element considered the precursor to cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) in the early 20th century.
The performance was directed by People's Artist Thanh Tuyet, with the participation of singers Le Huu Vu, Bui Kha Duy, and many other traditional music and singing artists. According to the Organizing Committee, the process of collecting, researching, and restoring the program took nearly 10 years.
Besides seasoned artists, the program also features many young talents. Dr. Tran Van Dai Loi, the program's host, expressed: "What has concerned me for many years is how to make young people understand that traditional music is not at all distant. In every song and every note, there is the life and morality of our ancestors. When young people truly listen, they will find empathy."
The program evokes the cultural atmosphere of old Southern Vietnam.
The interactive space also attracted a large audience, especially students and tourists. Many opinions suggest that the combination of cultural storytelling and live performance makes it easier for the public to access Southern Vietnamese folk music and cải lương (reformed opera).
Integrating the program into the framework of the Book and Culture Night Festival is seen as a way to connect heritage with urban cultural activities, reading culture, and community tourism .
In the context of traditional art facing many changes in modern life, community activities focused on experience and interaction are expected to contribute to expanding the public's access to heritage today.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/ke-chuyen-di-san-don-ca-tai-tu-giua-long-pho-sach-231141.html
![[Photo] Reception to welcome General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife on their State visit to the Philippines](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/01/1780295488620_vna-potal-chieu-dai-chao-mung-tong-bi-thu-chu-tich-nuoc-to-lam-va-phu-nhan-tham-cap-nha-nuoc-toi-philippines-8798060-7855-jpg.webp)
Comment (0)