The vitality of Hoi An's Bai Choi

cho3(1).jpg — Artists perform Bai Choi at the exchange program on the evening of December 7. Photo: VINH LOC

On the evening of December 7, the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center organized an exchange program with artists, experts, and researchers on Hoi An's Bai Choi singing to celebrate the 8th anniversary of the Central Region's Bai Choi Art being recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (December 7, 2017 - December 7, 2025).

With the theme "Thousand years of Bai Choi rhythm still echoes", the exchange looked back on the past with deep pride for the contributions of this art form to the heritage space.

According to Mr. Vo Phung, former Director of the Center for Culture - Sports and Radio - Television of Hoi An city (old), since 1983, Bai Choi has been widely present in the locality through the opening of Bai Choi classes at Hoi An Cultural House.

However, the milestone marking the participation of this type of folk performance in tourism activities must be counted from September 8, 1998, when "Old Town Night" was first organized with the introduction of the card game to perform for the people and tourists.

In particular, on January 16, 2010, the old city of Hoi An decided to organize the card game at the An Hoi roundabout every night, becoming a unique tourism product in the ancient town space and lasting until today.

for(1).jpg — Leaders of the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center presented flowers to acknowledge the contributions of researchers, managers, and bai choi artists. Photo: VINH LOC

Cultural researcher Phung Tan Dong acknowledged that Hoi An is a rare locality in the country that has successfully revived bai choi, or more precisely, made bai choi survive through tourism. What makes bai choi in Hoi An attractive is that it carries the typical mark of the land, which is completely different from some neighboring localities.

In particular, the name of the card set and the way of singing Bai Choi also have some differences, mainly based on ancient folk melodies; at the same time, it also incorporates opera lyrics composed by artists, helping to supplement Bai Choi melodies into the performance, creating richness for the Hoi An Bai Choi singing game.

According to Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Cam, Deputy Director in charge of the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center, Bai Choi is the breath of life, the spiritual food of Hoi An residents; and then from a type of folk performance, it becomes an attractive cultural tourism product and the pinnacle is the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In particular, the factors that create vitality for Bai Choi not only come from diverse organizational methods but also from its widespread presence in daily life and are continued through many generations.

cho1(1).jpg — People participate in the Bai Choi art exchange program. Photo: VINH LOC

Up to now, Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center has organized many classes to teach Bai Choi to young generations, especially in schools; contributing to spreading the love and passion for Bai Choi, helping the young generation to be aware of preserving the traditional values left by their ancestors.

In addition, Bai Choi has a stronger vitality when participating in activities to promote the image of Hoi An to the world. Almost all events have Bai Choi activities and are welcomed by tourists, helping Bai Choi to be nurtured and spread strongly.

“In that journey, there are contributions from researchers, managers, artisans, artists, communities, and tourists, contributing to preserving and promoting the value of Bài Chòi. Now that Hoi An has joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Bài Chòi has new vitality, new opportunities to grow and affirm its position in the hearts of domestic and international tourists,” said Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Cam.

Deputy Director in charge of the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center Truong Thi Ngoc Cam informed that previously the People's Council of Quang Nam province (old) issued a resolution and the People's Committee of Quang Nam province (old) had a project on preserving and promoting the art heritage of Bai Choi. After merging with Da Nang city, this project continued to be implemented.

Thereby, not only promoting performance activities, but also paying attention to the grassroots bai choi clubs, contributing to creating sustainable vitality for bai choi.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/suc-song-bai-choi-hoi-an-3314184.html