Shining a light on Bac Lieu's heritage

Sweet, profound, and full of emotion are the feelings of many people when watching the live stage performance "Come to Bac Lieu to listen to traditional folk music" (referred to as the program), within the framework of the Vietnam Salt Industry Festival - Bac Lieu 2025.

Sweet, profound, and full of emotion are the feelings of many people when watching the live stage performance "Come to Bac Lieu to listen to traditional folk music" (referred to as the program), within the framework of the Vietnam Salt Industry Festival - Bac Lieu 2025.

The program is an activity to pay tribute to and honor two cultural heritages: the Southern Vietnamese folk music and singing art form (ĐCTT) and the traditional salt-making craft in Bac Lieu.

Sweet melodies of the homeland

With its artistic setting and eye-catching stage effects in front of the Cao Van Lau Theater, the Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) performances become even more captivating. A particularly interesting highlight is the many performances with salt-themed performances.

The program is divided into two main chapters, connected like a continuous story to tell the history of the formation and development of Southern Vietnamese traditional music (ĐCTT) in Bac Lieu. In the chapter "The Origins of Southern Vietnamese Traditional Music," the audience journeys back in time with the dance performance "The Source of Understanding," the Cai Luong opera scene "Reunion," and the theatrical performance "The Integrity of Tran Binh Trong," recreating the formation and development from traditional music to theatrical performance, gradually transitioning to the performance art form of Cai Luong.

Chapter 2, "The Spread and Development of Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) in the New Era," with the musical scene "Homeland Love," realistically depicted the lives of salt workers. The song "White and Pure Salt Grains of Affection," inspired by the character of Tay Thi, highlighted the beauty of Bac Lieu salt, showcasing it not merely as a product but also as a symbol of the thoughts and feelings of those who work in the industry. Concluding the program, the medley "Proud of the Treasures of the South" and the song and dance performance "A Tour of Bac Lieu - The Land and Sky of Bac Lieu" created an artistic space that was both nostalgic and modern.

The song "Pure White Salt, a Symbol of Affection," set to the Tây Thi melody, satisfies both the auditory and visual senses of the audience watching the program.

Heritage shines brightly.

The program not only attracted the attention of locals but also left a deep impression on tourists. Many spectators gathered inside and outside the Cao Van Lau Theater to watch the show. The harmonious combination of scenery, sound, and light made each song and each musical rhythm evoke strong emotions.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan (65 years old, Bac Lieu City) shared: “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a wonderful program. I was born in Dong Hai, so hearing the traditional folk songs about salt production resonated deeply with me. It reminded me of the vast white salt fields and the friends I once worked alongside.” Mr. Tran Van Minh (a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City) expressed his delight at hearing traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music for the first time in a setting steeped in the culture of the Mekong Delta: “Before, I had only heard about traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music, but experiencing it firsthand, I understand why this art form is so captivating. The simple melodies and the sweet voices of the artists brought me so many emotions during the performance.”

With the program "Come to Bac Lieu to listen to Cai Luong (traditional Vietnamese opera)", Bac Lieu continues to affirm its position as a land of art, a place where unique cultural values ​​converge. Looking further ahead, this event is also an invitation for friends near and far to come to Bac Lieu - not only to enjoy the art but also to feel the breath of a land rich in the cultural identity of the nation.

Text and photos: BUI TUYET

Source: https://baocamau.vn/toa-sang-di-san-bac-lieu-a42372.html