Experience folk culture at the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival.

A performance of traditional folk singing by artists from the Hai Phong Traditional Theatre at the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival. Photo: THANH CHUNG

The festival is overflowing with folk colors.

Amidst the crisp autumn air, under the rustling pine trees of Con Son and beside the gentle Luc Dau Giang River, the 2025 Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival is more vibrant than ever. A series of folk art programs are continuously organized, offering visitors unique cultural experiences. Water puppetry, Cheo singing, Van singing, Xam singing, Ca Tru singing... not only revive traditional cultural spaces but also make the festival a gathering of distinctive cultural values.

On the first nights of the festival, as the autumn mist lingered over Kiet Bac Lake, the stage of the Culture, Tourism and Trade Promotion Week was brightly lit. Hundreds of locals and tourists gathered around the performance area, the sounds of drums, clappers, and the melodious sounds of the two-stringed fiddle marking the beginning of a series of folk art performances.

The performance by the Xứ Đông Cheo Theatre delivered an emotionally charged first night, from the folk singing performance "Uy Linh Vạn Kiếp - Côn Sơn" to the Cheo play "The Fisherman's Couple" and many other outstanding performances, allowing visitors and locals alike to immerse themselves in the rich atmosphere of traditional folk culture. The melodious Cheo singing resonated throughout the heritage site, blending with the bells of Côn Sơn Pagoda and the drums of Kiếp Bạc festival, creating a deeply moving cultural resonance. "This is the first time I've heard folk singing live at a festival. It feels like I'm reliving a part of our nation's past. The melodious tunes are very captivating," said Ms. Nguyễn Thu Hằng, a visitor from Hanoi .

Equally noteworthy are the water puppet shows by the Thanh Hai and Hong Phong puppet troupes, which offer delightful experiences for visitors. At the Thuy Dinh pavilion on Kiet Bac Lake, the puppet troupes present many impressive performances such as "Buffalo Fighting Festival," "The Heroic Spirit of Bach Dang Giang," etc., much to the delight of the audience.

Significantly, traditional folk singing and ca trù – forms of art recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage – were also introduced to a wide audience at the festival.

Incorporating folk culture into festival performances not only creates a rich and engaging atmosphere but also holds great significance in heritage preservation. Many forms of folk art, once thought to exist only within the confines of rural villages, are now widely introduced to tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Mr. Tran Quoc Kien, Deputy Director of the Traditional Stage Theatre, said: “Each traditional art performance included in the festival is carefully considered to be both suitable for the solemn atmosphere and to promote folk values. This is also an opportunity for artisans to interact, teach, and spread their love of culture to the community. Participating in the festival, the artists and actors of the theatre all feel proud, and everyone strives to bring the best and highest quality performances.”

In fact, many young tourists express interest in experiencing traditional art. Performances of traditional Vietnamese opera (chèo) and folk singing (xẩm) attract large numbers of young people who watch, film, and share them on social media, further promoting the national cultural heritage. Mr. Tran Minh Hoang, a tourist from Quang Ninh, commented: “I had only heard about folk singing in books, but now, seeing the artists perform firsthand, I truly appreciate the subtlety of this art form. I think programs like this need to be expanded so that more people can learn about and be proud of our national culture.”

phong-tuc-le-hoi(1).jpg — Many water puppet troupes participated in performances at the Water Pavilion of Kiet Bac Temple. Photo: DO TUAN

Spreading values, affirming identity

This year, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a series of folk art programs throughout the 12 days of the festival at the historical site. On the stage within the historical site grounds, locals and visitors from all over enjoyed lively performances, intertwined with the sacred atmosphere of the festival.

From the practical experience of organizing this year's Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival, it can be seen that incorporating folk art into the festival space brings many positive aspects. This affirms the role of folk culture in contemporary life. "The melodies of Cheo opera, the chanted songs, and the rhythmic clapping of Ca Tru singing are not only preserved in books but are also vividly recreated with the participation of the community. In addition, incorporating folk culture into the festival contributes to attracting tourists and creating a unique highlight for the festival," Mr. Tran Quoc Kien added.

Visitors come to Con Son - Kiet Bac not only to commemorate the merits of their ancestors but also to enjoy a rich and colorful cultural atmosphere. The festival also serves as an environment that helps connect artisans and the younger generation, nurturing a passion for folk culture.

It can be affirmed that showcasing folk culture at the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival creates a vibrant and solemn "picture." This is proof of the strong vitality of heritage in contemporary life, and at the same time, a reminder to every citizen of their responsibility to preserve and safeguard the essence of their ancestors. Leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism believe that the Con Son - Kiet Bac Autumn Festival is a traditional spiritual and cultural event perfectly suited for showcasing folk cultural values. The continuous performances not only serve tourists but also revive traditional art forms, allowing heritage to truly engage with contemporary life.

DUC HUY

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/trai-nghiem-van-hoa-dan-gian-o-le-hoi-mua-thu-con-son-kiep-bac-522828.html