Listening to old songs in the heart of the city.
In the charming little space on the 3rd floor of the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center (50 Dao Duy Tu Street), the performance by the Dong Kinh Ancient Music group unfolded in simplicity and minimalism: no dazzling stage, no elaborate platforms, no sound amplification equipment, no technical effects, only traditional melodies intertwined with lyrics. Everything touched upon the tranquility of the space through the original state of the music .
At close range, the audience can not only perceive the artist's gaze and facial expressions, but also listen to the subtle nuances of the sounds: sometimes the profound solemnity of ca trù (traditional Vietnamese singing); sometimes the lyrical sweetness of chèo (traditional Vietnamese opera); and at other times the rustic, everyday charm of xẩm (a type of Vietnamese folk singing)...
It was this rare sense of intimacy that made many feel the performance space resembled an old village communal house, where music was an integral part of community life.
Over the years, Dong Kinh Ancient Music has always upheld the spirit of respecting the authenticity and simplicity of traditional Vietnamese music to the fullest extent, from the performance space to the style of playing and singing ancient music.
The group's regular performances, titled "Stories of Old Quarter Music," gradually transformed 50 Dao Duy Tu Street into a cultural meeting place for lovers of traditional music in Hanoi .
Despite operating on a non-profit basis, with all programs open to the public and only requiring venue support from the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board, the group has consistently attracted the participation of veteran artists in the field of traditional music and art, such as People's Artists: Manh Phong, Man Thu, Thanh Hoai, Xuan Hoach, Thanh Binh, Minh Gai, Thuy Ngan, Hong Khiem…; along with the contribution of some young lecturers from the Vietnam National Academy of Music.
Regularly accompanying the group are also artisans such as: Grand Master Singer Nguyen Thi Khuou, Hue folk singer Thanh Tam, and Royal Court Music artist Tran Thao…
According to artist Dam Quang Minh, head of the Dong Kinh Ancient Music group, what creates this special bond is the love and dedication each artist has for traditional Vietnamese music. Every time they step onto the stage, they not only play the role of performers but also act as guardians, transmitters, and spreaders of the beauty of their ancestors' traditional music.
Although a Vietnamese expatriate living in France, Dam Quang Minh developed a passion for Vietnamese folk music from an early age. From childhood, he was fortunate to meet artisans such as Quach Thi Ho and Nguyen Thi Phuc, and his foster father, the poet Ngo Linh Ngoc, nurtured his love for traditional art. Upon moving to France, he was also close to Professor and Doctor Tran Van Khe and composer Ton That Tiet, further fostering his love for the melodies and songs of his ancestors.
Later, Dam Quang Minh decided to leave France and return to Vietnam, where he and the late musician Vu Nhat Tan, a close friend, founded the Dong Kinh Co Nhac (Eastern Capital Traditional Music) group. The group was established in 2014, originating from a collaboration with artist Huong Thanh in a program to bring traditional Vietnamese music to France as part of the Year of Vietnam in France. After completing two performances, the group returned to Vietnam and officially debuted to the public with the concert "The Sound of Bamboo and Silk" at the French Institute in Hanoi.
As the person who named the group, artist Dam Quang Minh said that "Dong Kinh" is not only the name of Thang Long, the capital during the Le Dynasty, but also the Western name for northern Vietnam. This name both embodies the cultural depth of Thang Long and creates a sense of familiarity with international friends.
Bringing "our music" into dialogue with life.
Following the journey of Dong Kinh Ancient Music, it's easy to see that besides restoring and performing, the group also seeks to explore the beauty of ancient music in resonance with other artistic languages.
On numerous occasions, audiences have been overwhelmed when seemingly incompatible elements have created a harmonious blend with traditional music. This includes the interwoven lyrics of Trịnh Công Sơn with Huế's traditional music, creating a fusion that is both familiar and novel; the modern interpretation of traditional music combined with German poetry; and the bold fusion with revolutionary music, creating a unique artistic style…
This is also how Dong Kinh Ancient Music expands the creative boundaries of traditional music, so that the sounds of the nation are not only a legacy of the past, but also constantly evolving and harmonizing with the contemporary spirit.
As the unsung hero who orchestrates the flow of performances, artist Dam Quang Minh is known as the "mastermind" of Dong Kinh Ancient Music. Based on his knowledge of language and history, he refines, molds, and arranges various elements into melodies with new performance structures. He believes that in Vietnamese, tones are the natural musical notes; therefore, in the process of "arranging performances," he always uses tones as the central element, so that the lyrics sound natural and unforced, like everyday speech.
Having been associated with Dong Kinh Ancient Music from its early days to the present, People's Artist Minh Gai - a prominent figure in Vietnamese traditional opera - considers this place not only a performance stage but also a special creative space for traditional art.
Although the group operates on a non-profit basis, she and many other artists remain dedicated to it because of the joy of living their profession and spreading national cultural values.
She said that it was here that she gained new artistic experiences. She still vividly remembers playing the role of Ho Nguyet Co in a traditional ao dai dress instead of the traditional costume of the opera; the characteristic melodies and rituals of the opera were preserved, while the performance had a more relatable feel. It was also here that she had the opportunity to learn more about many other art forms… enriching her professional skills.
During the process of bringing traditional Vietnamese music to various performance venues in Hanoi's Old Quarter, as well as to schools and cultural centers both domestically and internationally, People's Artist Minh Gái and the artists of Dong Kinh Ancient Music could not hide their emotion when young people, and even international tourists, proactively sought them out, expressing their desire to learn to play instruments, sing, and research Vietnamese traditional music.
For the group members, these are the most valuable "rewards," proof of their tireless efforts in preserving and spreading traditional Vietnamese music.
For over 10 years, Dong Kinh Co Nhac has persevered with "Stories of Old Town Music," and they are determined to continue on that path. However, starting in 2026, their journey will broaden with the series "Our Music - City Houses," affirming the dialogue between "our music"—the music of our ancestors—and "city houses"—symbols of modern urban life. This name is a strong affirmation of the direction the group is pursuing, ensuring that the sounds of the nation not only resonate in memory but continue to echo in the flow of life today.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/nang-niu-nhung-thanh-am-dan-toc-post949906.html
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