Thang Binh preserves the art of Bai Choi.

In order to preserve and promote traditional values, Thang Binh district is striving to maintain and pass on the art of Bai Choi to the community, especially the younger generation.

Trainees perform Bài Chòi folk art at the closing ceremony of the training course on teaching and developing practical skills in Bài Chòi heritage. Photo: QUANG VIỆT

Urgent need for conservation

The People's Committee of Thang Binh district, in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, recently held a closing ceremony for the 2025 training course on teaching and practicing the art of Bai Choi.

Over the course of 10 days, the training course, with the serious and responsible instruction of artisan Nguyen Van Quy - Deputy Head of the Culture and Arts Department (Hoi An City Culture, Sports and Information Center), musician Nguyen Tinh - Quang Nam Opera Troupe, and the trainees including teachers, students, retirees... in the district, have acquired knowledge and skills in singing Bai Choi and using musical instruments. The organizing committee awarded certificates of completion to 86 trainees.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Oanh, a teacher at Binh Tri Commune Kindergarten, trainees not only learn about the history and development of Bai Choi in Quang Nam province in general and Thang Binh district in particular, but also master the techniques of chanting, performing, and using traditional musical instruments.

“Above all, Bài Chòi is an art form that connects communities, a folk tradition, and a repository of the nation's ancient culture. By mastering the musical and performance skills of Bài Chòi, I and the members will preserve, pass on, and spread these beautiful values ​​in life,” said teacher Oanh.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Hoang Oanh discusses with Mr. Vo Dang Nhu about preserving the art of Bai Choi in Thang Binh district. Photo: QUANG VIET

Mr. Vo Dang Nhu, an official from the Culture, Science , and Information Department of Thang Binh district, said that through the training course, trainees have grasped the origins of Central Vietnamese Bài Chòi; the methods of organizing and maintaining folk Bài Chòi clubs and groups; and the way to organize Bài Chòi competitions in Quang Nam province. Trainees are proficient in playing musical instruments, singing, and performing folk songs, chants, and reciting Bài Chòi songs…

"Teaching and training in the practical skills of the Bài Chòi art heritage is very urgent in the district. This is an essential activity to preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage of Bài Chòi art and to develop Bài Chòi clubs and groups to meet the cultural and artistic enjoyment needs of the local people," Mr. Nhu said.

Preserve and pass on

According to Mr. Vo Dang Nhu, over the years, the cultural sector of Thang Binh district has made efforts to preserve and conserve the art of Bai Choi with the desire to pass it on to the younger generation. Melodies such as Xuan Nu, Co Ban, Xang Xe, Ho Quang... performed through chanting and theatrical performances of Bai Choi art are always loved by the people, especially the youth.

Trainees complete a training course on teaching and developing practical skills in the Bài Chòi folk art tradition. Photo: QUANG VIET

After the completion of the training course on the practical skills of the Bài Chòi art form, Thăng Bình district encourages the establishment of Bài Chòi singing clubs, associations, and groups, gathering core members to participate in Bài Chòi performances in many places. This contributes to preserving and passing on the passion for Bài Chòi art to the public, especially students in schools throughout the district.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, acting head of the Culture, Science, and Information Department of Thang Binh district, believes that over time, the art of Bai Choi has been continuously refined, inherited, enhanced, and further affirmed as a cultural identity of Quang Nam province. This identity enriches the spiritual life of the people and strengthens community bonds.

“In the coming time, Thang Binh district will continue to organize classes to teach the art of Bai Choi to the younger generation, especially students in schools. We will organize exchange activities and Bai Choi performances in localities so that the community can enjoy it, artisans can perform and teach, and spread the love of Bai Choi in the community. The district will strive to link the preservation of Bai Choi with tourism development,” said Ms. Hien.

Ms. Vo Thi Thanh Van - Deputy Head of the Cultural Management Department (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism) said: "To preserve and promote the artistic value of Bai Choi, Thang Binh district needs to develop a plan to periodically hold festivals, performances, and competitions on folk songs and Bai Choi singing."

In addition, we should organize folk song and Bài Chòi composition competitions in diverse forms to promptly provide quality works for the preservation and transmission of Bài Chòi art... Thereby contributing to the effective preservation and promotion of the heritage value."

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/thang-binh-gin-giu-nghe-thuat-bai-choi-3156097.html