Vietnam’s time honor development history has facilitated the growth of many traditional stage arts, including Tuong, Cheo and Cai Luong. Traditional theatrical artists and policy makers have gathered in Hanoi to discuss ways to preserve and develop the arts.

Theatrical artists have found many ways to bring the arts closer to the public, including the integration of modern stories and art forms. The workshop on measures to preserve and develop theatrical arts has gathered valuable opinions from experts to ensure the arts’ survival.

Delegates agree that both tangible and intangible components of the art must be preserved. Director of Vietnam Cheo Theatre, Ha Duc Minh, says a museum with collections of traditional art costumes must be founded: “The museum will preserve objects, decorations and costumes used in various form of theatrical art performances. Otherwise the next generations cannot find and restore this reference.”

Other delegates suggest the preservation of intangible factors such as music genres and dances. They called for projects to store video and audio materials of traditional music ensembles and dances. Hoang Van Hung is the Deputy Director of the Central Cai Luong Opera Theatre House: “We must learn from the artists who lived the time of the theatrical play. For instance, if we want to stage the Kieu Nguyet Nga theatrical play, we wish to know the costumes and dances of that time as detailed as possible.”

Ha Duc Minh says the organization of local festivals to honor the traditional arts and introduction of the arts in schools are good ways to look for young talents: “Traditional theatrical arts have been introduced in schools for dozens of years and should be done more.”