(VOVworld)- Vietnam’s Ca Tru ceremonial singing was recognized by UNESCO in 2009 as an intangible cultural heritage in urgent need of protection. Over the past five years, Vietnam has exerted every effort to preserve and promote the art genre.

15 cities and provinces in Vietnam have Ca Tru singing clubs. In Hanoi alone, there are 22 Ca Tru singing clubs Since it was recognized by UNESCO, Hanoi has been one of the leaders in preserving and promoting Ca Tru.

For the past few years, the Hanoi Ca Tru club has met every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening at Kim Ngan temple in the Old Quarter. Club members have tried to maintain regular performances. Artist Le Thi Bach Van, Head of the Club, said that because of rapid changes in popular entertainment, Ca Tru singing has a shrinking audience. Many clubs in Hanoi including the Hanoi Ca Tru club have had to frequently changed venues and reduced the number of performances. Ms. Van told VOV: “We used to perform at in Bich Cau and Kim Ngan temple. We held 24 to 26 performances every month. Now we have had to discontinue all performances at Bich Cau temple. We never want to give up our singing. We sing not for money but for the promotion of the art. During the day, I work at a hospital and at night I sing”.

The Thang Long Ca Tru club in Ma May street has managed to maintain regular performances, but most of the audience are foreigners. The club has cooperated with travel companies to bring the art closer to the audience. The club has also paid attention to training younger singers, which, according to Ms Pham Thi Hue, head of the club, is the best way to preserve Ca Tru: “The public has been trying to preserve the art. The Thang Long Ca Tru Club is luckier than most because it has young artists who are passionate about Ca Tru ”.

The Hanoi and Thang Long Ca Tru clubs are widely known for their efforts to organize performances, promote and hand down the art to younger generations. There are also other clubs that have maintained activities to promote and teach Ca Tru. These include Chanh Thon in Phu Xuyen, Lo Khe in Dong Anh district on the outskirts of Hanoi, and many clubs in Ha Tinh and Quang Binh. Since 2005, the Lo Khe Ca Tru Club in Dong Anh, Hanoi has received more than 2,500 USD a year in funding from the district to maintain their activities and teach the younger generation. Ca Tru singing has become a specialty included in package tours of Dong Anh district. Bac Ninh province has put in place a 3 million USD project to promote values of Quan Ho folk singing and Ca Tru ceremonial singing.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is implementing a National Action Program which includes forth several measures to preserve and promote values of Ca Tru. A National Ca Tru Festival will be held in Hanoi in August. Ca Tru artists from 15 cities and provinces are expected to participate.