Traditional art attracts contemporary audiences.

BAC NINH - Amidst the modern pace of life, folk melodies, drum rhythms, and percussion instruments continue to resonate on stages, enriching the cultural and spiritual life of the people in Bac Ninh province. Traditional art is attracting a large audience due to its uniqueness and originality, offering fresh emotions and creating a highlight in the flow of contemporary culture, affirming the enduring vitality of national art in the new era.

"Say" in folk song lyrics

The first Provincial Cheo Club Festival, recently held at the Bac Ninh Cheo Theater, was truly a celebration for Cheo enthusiasts. The auditoriums were packed with spectators. Many audience members, who came to support their local teams, enthusiastically stayed for the entire performance. A significant number of middle-aged and elderly viewers hummed along to familiar Cheo melodies and excitedly livestreamed the performances for their family and friends to enjoy. Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, from Hung Vuong residential area ( Bac Giang ward), shared: “I’ve been passionate about Cheo since I was a child, and I often watch Cheo performances organized locally. The more I watch, the more proud and appreciative I become of this traditional art form of my homeland.”

Members of folk song clubs from wards and communes participated in the 2025 Bac Ninh Province Then Singing and Dan Tinh Playing Festival.

A few days earlier, the First Bac Ninh Province Then Singing and Dan Tinh Playing Festival took place at the Provincial Cultural and Exhibition Center, attracting not only Tay and Nung people from several mountainous wards and communes but also urban residents. Particularly noteworthy was the National Cheo Festival held in Bac Ninh in October, which lasted over 10 days. Audiences filled every seat, spilling into the walkways, attentively watching and continuously applauding the sweet melodies. Twenty-one meticulously staged performances, featuring nearly a thousand artists, actors, and musicians from 12 professional art troupes nationwide, presented a vibrant picture of Cheo art – from historical and revolutionary themes to the breath of contemporary life. Many middle-aged audience members traveled dozens of kilometers by motorbike, while women cycled to see the performances because, as they said, "Every performance was great, and missing a single one would be a shame." It is encouraging to see that the audience included many young faces, demonstrating the strong influence of traditional Vietnamese opera (cheo) in contemporary times.

It is evident that folk art is thriving in Bac Ninh, a land with a thousand years of cultural heritage, thanks to the joint efforts of the government, artisans, and the people. In the future, the cultural sector will continue to focus on organizing many large-scale, high-quality competitions and performances of traditional arts to attract a wide audience, contributing to the strong dissemination of this heritage within the community.

Artist Dieu Thuan ( Ninh Binh Traditional Arts Theatre), who was awarded a Gold Medal at the National Cheo Festival, shared: “The audience in Bac Ninh is amazing; they enthusiastically cheered for every scene and song we performed. That is an invaluable reward and a motivation for us artists to continue giving our all for art. Seeing the audience shed tears for my characters makes me even more conscious of striving to make each role and song more beautiful and authentic.”

Not only at festivals and competitions, but also at traditional opera and Quan Ho folk singing performances on boats in Bac Giang, Kinh Bac, and Chu wards; and at performances of Ca Tru, Soong Co, and Sloong Hao during Spring festivals and Cultural and Tourism Weeks, these events attract large audiences, demonstrating the enduring love of contemporary audiences for traditional art. The appeal of traditional art stems from the smooth beauty of Cheo melodies, the subtlety of Quan Ho verses, the heartfelt and resonant tones of Then, Soong Co, and Sloong Hao singing, and the vibrant, energetic sounds of Tac Xinh dance... all harmonizing with the drums, clappers, and stringed instruments. All of these elements create a unique charm, allowing viewers to rediscover familiar sounds and traditions, fostering pride in their homeland's cultural heritage.

Igniting the passion for artists to flourish.

According to Mr. Truong Quang Hai, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the warm affection of the public is the most vivid proof of the enduring vitality of traditional art in today's diverse and vibrant entertainment market. It is also a concrete action contributing to preserving and spreading the value of intangible cultural heritage to the community. Because with an audience, artists have the motivation to create, stay committed, and flourish on stage, and national art continues to shine brighter.

A large number of locals and tourists from all over attended the sloong hao singing festival in Tan Son commune.

In recent years, with the attention of the province and the efforts of the cultural sector, the preservation and transmission of traditional art forms have been carried out systematically, from broadcasting on the radio system, opening training classes in the community, teaching in schools, to organizing competitions and festivals; creating conditions for art troupes and artisans to participate in performances serving political tasks and cultural events.

The influence of heritage is also evident in the digital space, demonstrated by many clubs and artisans posting performance videos on social media, attracting tens of thousands of views, opening up a new approach suitable for young people, and bringing heritage closer to contemporary life. In addition, the province focuses on policies and regulations for artisans and heritage. From 2010 to June 2025, the two provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang (formerly) have organized three award ceremonies for intangible cultural heritage artisans. Bac Ninh (formerly) honored 203 artisans (10 People's Artisans and 42 Outstanding Artisans awarded by the President). Bac Giang province previously proposed awarding 5 People's Artisans and 38 Outstanding Artisans. Bac Ninh is also a pioneering locality in supporting artisans by providing monthly payments of 1.5 - 4.6 million VND per person to People's Artisans and Distinguished Artisans. Notably, Bac Ninh is currently the only province that bestows and provides regular support to artisans of UNESCO-recognized heritage forms such as Quan Ho folk singing, Ca Tru singing, and the Tam Phu Mother Goddess worship practice – a humane policy demonstrating respect for these "living human treasures".

With the attention and investment from all levels of government and relevant agencies in special programs, many artisans, actors, and musicians dedicate their hearts and souls to practicing diligently to bring high-quality performances that captivate the audience. Not only professional artists from the Bac Ninh Cheo Theater and the Quan Ho Folk Song Theater, but also amateur artists from all over the country are passionately devoted to the national heritage. Ms. Vi Thi Ha, a primary school teacher and member of the Then Singing Club in Luc Ngan commune, despite having given birth less than two months ago, still participated in the provincial Then Singing and Dan Tinh Festival with her whole family. Accompanying her were her husband and 9-year-old son, who also performed on stage, while her parents-in-law helped prepare the costumes and props. For her, the melodious sound of the Dan Tinh and the profound lyrics of Then have been a part of her life since childhood, passed down from her mother and the artisans in her village. Therefore, to contribute to preserving the essence of the nation, she regularly performs in school and local cultural programs, while also teaching students and spreading the unique characteristics of Then singing and Dan Tinh playing on social media.

It is evident that folk art is thriving in Bac Ninh, a land with a thousand years of cultural heritage, thanks to the joint efforts of the government, artisans, and the people. The head of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that in the future, they will continue to focus on organizing many large-scale, high-quality traditional art competitions and performances to attract a wide audience, contributing to the strong dissemination of this heritage within the community.

Text and photos: Vi Le Thanh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/nghe-thuat-truyen-thong-hut-khan-gia-duong-dai-postid433070.bbg