"The dawn"

The show involved a wide range of Vietnam’s traditional musical instruments, including “đàn bầu” (monochord), “đàn nhị” (2-string zither), “đàn đáy” (plucked lute),“đàn thập lục” (16-string zither), “đàn tam thập lục” (36-string zither), flute, and drum, and more than 20 instruments made from bamboo. Even kitchenware and brooms are used in the show as musical instruments.

"The rural market"

Songwriter Mai Tuyet Hoa, Director of the Centre for Research, Conservation, and Development of Vietnam Culture – the show’s producer, said: “The show aims to promote folk music to Vietnamese people and foreigners. The music, in companion with stage décor and sound effects, creates a space typical of northern rural areas. Lighting techniques and self-painted backdrops are used to add more effects to the show. We also use the sound effects of insects, birds, and water to remind audiences of childhood in their hometowns”.

"The summer noon"

“The Soul of Vietnamese Village” consists of 7 parts, describing the landscape, daily activities, culture, and beliefs of rural people in northern Vietnam.

"The handicraft"

Songwriter Hoa further elaborated: “Events that are the most typical of northern rural areas are revived on our stage through the 50-minute show. We really hope to bring audiences an interesting experiment”.

"A lady washing her hair"

The show makes use of all 4 genres of Vietnam’s folk music that have been recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: “ca trù” (ceremonial singing), “nhã nhạc cung đình” (royal court music), “hát văn” (invocation singing which accompanies trance ritual), and “quan họ” (love folk duets). 

"The village's festival"

Monochord artist Pham Trang of the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema talked about her feelings after the performance: “Performing ‘the Soul of Vietnamese Village’ is my great new experiment of folk music which has been my passion for a long time. I also learn stage skills from fellow artists”.

"The harvest"

The show has received positive feedback. In particular, representatives of travel agents found it an attractive tourism product for foreign visitors. Hoang Thi Mai Huong of 365 Travel, told VOV: “The show is, I think, very attractive to foreign visitors. It proves the passion of folk music artists and how talented they are to create such a fascinating performance using simple instruments”.

“The Soul of Vietnamese Village” is staged every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 6.15pm and 8pm, beginning in October.