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