(VOVworld)- The first national festival of Don ca tai tu or southern improvisational traditional music is being held in Bac Lieu province. The festival reflects the vitality of this music genre, which was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Don ca tai tu, which originated from Hue royal court music and northern musical influences, has now become a typical cultural feature of the southern region. Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen Thi My Liem filed a dossier on Don ca tai tu to with UNESCO for recognition of the art as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. She said that when they sing and play the original songs, southern people often improvise new tunes to inject their own emotion and soul into the songs. Gradually, these improvisations have created a music system which is more open and emotional and different from the original songs and tunes. Ms Liem told us:“Southern people have a very special talent in improvising songs and tunes, turning original short songs into longer songs. For example, 100 years ago, the famous song called Da co hoai lang (or Longing for one’s husband) was very simple and different from the song that we sing today. The improvisations of southern people have strongly marked Don ca tai tu songs and music strongly with the southern characteristics”.


Wherever they are, southern people are always proud of Don ca tai tu. They say those tunes of their homeland are in their blood. When singers sing and play, audiences are inspired to sing and tap along. For southern people, Don ca tai tu is the only music genre that combines the elegance of chamber music and the popularity of contemporary music throughout the community.
Since the 1960s, Don ca tai tu has become known internationally thanks to the promotion efforts of Professor Tran Van Khe, musician Nguyen Huu Ba, and music teacher Vinh Bao. In recent years, Don ca tai tu has become an attraction for visitors to the southern region. Particularly young people, researchers and foreigners are impressed with the community aspect and the pervasiveness of the music genre. Writer Le Dinh Bich, a lecturer at Can Tho University, has spent years introducing Vietnamese traditional music and musical instruments to international students.“Many Vietnamese scholars and music teachers have thoroughly studied southern Don ca tai tu, but the one who wrote a doctoral thesis on Don ca tai tu was an American. He is Doctor Alexander M. Cannon, lecturer of the Department of Music History and Ethnicity of West Michigan University. His study was of great value”.

Don ca tai tu music is a unique asset of the people in 21 southern provinces, encompassing most of the Mekong River Delta. Its popularity has been growing since it became an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Don ca tai tu lovers are now gathering in Bac Lieu city to learn more about the cultural values of this music genre and celebrate its renewed vitality in contemporary life.