Summer vacation with...drill singing

Summer days are not only a time for children to temporarily forget the pressure of studying, indulge in their passion for sports, music, and fine arts, but also have the opportunity to learn and immerse themselves in the traditional folk songs of their homeland. In many rural areas of Quang Tri, Le Thuy folk singing classes have been opened during the summer, attracting the participation of many children. From there, continue to nurture and spread the love of the younger generation for the heritage of their ancestors.

The summer singing class of Le Thuy singing artists club is always exciting and attractive to children - Photo: MN

The summer afternoon, although hot, could not stop the footsteps of the boys and girls coming to the small house of the excellent artist Nguyen Thi Ly (stage name Hai Ly) in Le Thuy commune. In the shady yard by the Kien Giang river, the sounds of guitars, singing, and clappers resounded, bustling the space.

Artist Nguyen Thi Ly shared that summer classes have been an indispensable activity of the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Artists Club in recent times. Previously, in the 2024-2025 school year, the Club also closely coordinated with two local schools, Nguyen Chi Thanh High School and Le Thuy High School, to organize Le Thuy Ho Khoan Clubs for students right at the school. The clubs are the core of the school's arts, contributing to nurturing love and bringing the Ho Khoan heritage closer to the students.

And right after the children's summer vacation, in June 2025, the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Artists Club participated in a class to teach performance skills and practice Le Thuy Ho Khoan organized by the Provincial Museum. The club had 4 artists participating in teaching and 8 students participating.

During the summer vacation, the Club also regularly organizes a number of activities and classes to help children review and improve their knowledge and skills, while also creating a playground for Club members to learn and share experiences with each other.

When summer comes, Ngo Thi Khanh Van (10 years old, student of Phong Thuy Primary School) is always eager to learn at the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Artists Club. Khanh Van shared that she loves Ho Khoan and has participated in the club's activities for 2 years.

I have learned 5 Le Thuy folk songs and want to learn more from the artists about the beauty of folk songs. At school, I tell my friends about folk songs so that many of my friends will also love and come to the heritage of their ancestors. The folk songs classes in the summer are a good opportunity for Khanh Van to meet and interact with friends with the same interests and learn the experiences and skills of the artists who came before.

As for Nguyen Phuong Anh (grade 11, Nguyen Chi Thanh High School), she has joined the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Artists Club since kindergarten, so she has always closely followed the club's activities. During the summer vacation, despite being busy with extra classes, Phuong Anh still did not miss the club's classes. When participating in activities, she also actively discussed and shared with artists and friends to improve her Ho Khoan practice skills.

Although the farming work, harvest season or livelihood are still busy, the artisans of the Le Thuy Folk Songs Club still spend a lot of time on the children's summer activities. Thanks to that, the source of folk songs continues to flow forever. The good news is the active participation of the school in nurturing and transmitting Le Thuy folk songs.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai, Head of the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Club of Nguyen Chi Thanh High School, shared that the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Club of Nguyen Chi Thanh High School has 28 members and operates regularly with the coordination and support of the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Artists Club. During the summer vacation, whenever the Le Thuy Ho Khoan Artists Club organizes activities for children, the school's club actively participates. In the coming time, we hope that training classes on Le Thuy Ho Khoan will be held right at the school to attract a large number of students to participate, creating favorable conditions for management and regular maintenance.

In Sen Ngu commune, the Ho Khoi Ngu Thuy Folk Song Club also regularly organizes classes on Binh Tri Thien folk songs, including Le Thuy Ho Khoan for children during the summer. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Thieu, Chairman of the Ho Khoi Ngu Thuy Folk Song Club, said that from the beginning of summer 2025 until now, the Club has participated in organizing 2 classes on Ho Khoan for children. Of which, the first class was held in May at the cultural house of Ngu Thuy commune (old) with more than 20 children participating (from grade 4 to grade 5 and above).

The club also actively cooperates with primary and secondary schools to organize training classes, improve performance skills, and practice Binh Tri Thien folk songs, especially Le Thuy folk songs for children. In particular, the club also strives to preserve the fishing and fishing songs (net fishing songs), which are two typical singing genres of coastal people.

Operating since 2006, the Ho Khoi Ngu Thuy Club is a bright spot in the development of the local folk culture and arts movement. With funding mainly from socialization, the 26 members of the Club have persistently preserved and passed on the cultural heritage of their ancestors to the younger generation for a long time.

“The club's wish is to receive more attention from the cultural sector and local authorities to continue to create conditions to foster and teach Le Thuy folk songs to children, especially financial support,” Mr. Nguyen Thanh Thieu added.

The summer days are really rewarding for the children who are passionate about Le Thuy folk songs. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the folk culture and art clubs at the grassroots level, the folk songs continue to be passed down and preserved from generation to generation. It is expected that in the coming time, this national intangible cultural heritage will continue to maintain its long-lasting vitality in the community, while receiving "more strength" from the local Party Committee, government and related departments and branches to fulfill its mission.

Mai Nhan

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/nghi-he-cung-ho-khoan-195970.htm