Viet Nam News
HCM CITY — A book on hat noi (recital melody), a kind of Vietnamese folk singing, was released this week after years of work by folk-culture researcher Nguyen Duc Mau.
The 500-page book, Tuyen Tap Hat Noi (Collection of Hat Noi - A Kind of Vietnamese Folk Singing), includes 407 songs and poems used in hat noi.
The songs used in hat noi are taken from traditional poems set to music and most of them have unknown composers.
In the early 20th century, people sang works by northern patriots and famous poets to present their hopes and views. This was a kind of hat noi that scholars often used in communities to fuel patriotism.
Hat noi played a very important role in the development of the country’s folk art.
The book was edited by Dr Mau, a graduate of Ha Noi General University (now Ha Noi Social Sciences and Humanities University), who has many years of experience in folk culture and music research.
In his book, Mau writes about the development of hat noi and how the writers and artists created and sang the music.
He focuses on different styles that depict the country’s history, culture and lifestyle.
The book includes poems by famous poets and authors living in the early 20th century, such as Nguyen Khuyen, Nguyen Cong Tru, Cao Ba Quat and Tan Da.
Highlighted works are Vinh Tet (Singing about the Lunar New Year) and Bai Ca Luu Biet (Song of Separation) by patriots Phan Boi Chau and Huynh Thuc Khang.
Tuyen Tap Hat Noi, published by the Vinh University Publishing House, is valuable for young generations, particularly students from art schools.
Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan said in the HCM City-based newspaper Nguoi Lao Dong (Labourer) that “people could learn about the country’s folk art but also about history and culture.”
The book is available in bookstores. — VNS