HA NOI — The Vietnamese Art and Folk Music Development Centre opened the Folk Music Festival on August 7 on an open stage in Dong Xuan Market, Hoan Kiem District. 

The festival will feature some 80 performances by individuals and folk music clubs in Ha Noi; HCM City and the northern provinces of Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Hai Phong and Bac Giang, as well as Thai Binh and Ha Giang. 

The festival, with theme Ha Thanh 36 Pho Phuong (Ha Noi’s Old Quarter), is held to celebrate National Day on September 2 and Viet Nam Music Day on September 3. 

The festival will introduce popular and different folk music genres from localities, including ca tru (ceremonial singing), cheo (popular opera), trong quan singing and xam (blind busker), as well as hau dong performance and don ca tai tu (southern amateur singing).

Ca tru and hau dong were officially recognised by UNESCO as world intangible cultural heritages in 2009 and 2016. 

Ca tru originated in the 11th century, but it was not officially recorgnised as a form of entertainment for the royal court until the 13th century during the Ly Dynasty. Hau dong is a sacred yet joyful ritual within the Mother Goddess religion.

"The festival organisers will award prizes for the best performances. The semifinal round was held at the end of July, attracting more than 300 items," centre director -- traditional musician Thao Giang – said.

The festival will see one repertoire by each individual and three repertoires by artists from the clubs. The judge panel includes musician Thao Giang, artisan Phung Thi Hong, Meritorious artist Pham Van Ty and musician Vu Trong Tuong. 

The festival will take place every Saturday night at 8pm and continue until September 2. — VNS