Hanoi will hold the first festival of Chau Van singing

Hanoi is going to hold the first festival of Chau Van singing on September 23. Relevant agencies are working a dossier in order to submit to UNESCO with the aim of recognizing the traditional singing as an Intangible Culture Heritage of Humanity. 



Chau Van singing, dating from the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400). It is a part of the national intangible cultural heritage. The Red River delta province of Nam Dinh is considered its birthplace. This highly rhythmic form of singing often accompanies “hau dong” (mediumship) during rituals to honour Mother Goddesses and connect to other gods. It is usually performed at temples and pagodas.

The music and poetry performed in the folk art are blended with a variety of rhythms, pauses, tempos, stresses and pitches. The genre has also adopted folk songs from the uplands and highlands of the North, Central and South. The main musical instruments are used in the genre is the Dan Nguyet (moon-shaped lute). The Hanoi department said talks will be held during the festival to discuss how to preserve and bring into play the positive values of Chau Van singing in modern society.