A performance of xoan in the northern province of Phu Tho. The province has adopted an action plan to preserve and promote the unique style of singing. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan

PHU THO — Several groups and dozens of individuals have been honoured at a ceremony in the northern province of Phu Tho for their contributions to preserving xoan singing.

The event aimed to honour contributions to developing xoan singing, one of the nation's registered cultural heritages, into a draw for tourists which is being promoted as part of this year's national heritage tourism programme.

Present at the ceremony on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan stressed that all people, artists, artisans and the authorities and residents of Phu Tho were responsible for preserving and promoting the values of xoan singing.

He affirmed the Party and State's attention to the preservation and development of the nation's cultural values in combination with tourism development as clearly defined in the Viet Nam tourism development strategy to 2020 with a vision to 2030.

Xoan singing, a vocal art native to the ancestral villages of Phu Tho, is usually performed in front of the village communal house during spring festivals.

Based on legends and historical, archaeological and social records, researchers believe that xoan singing first appeared when the Hung Kings established the nation thousands of years ago.

Xoan singing is quite similar to a lullaby. Many of the songs are about love, but the style is also a kind of folk music for ritual ceremonies praising village partron genie. There are many forms of performances, including duets and group singing accompanied by several styles of dance.

Xoan festivals are often held in spring in village temples. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, these traditional songs are performed at the Hung Temple festival.

Phu Tho authorities have adopted an action programme to protect and promote this unique style of singing. — VNS