HA NOI (VNS)- Ha Noi artists will restore the original art of xam tau dien (tramway xam singing) in a concert to be held at the Vietnamese Women's Museum from Friday to Sunday.

Xam tau dien is a type of folk music that used to be performed on the trams, a popular means of public transport in the capital at the beginning of the 20th century.

When the tram lines were abandoned in the 1980s, xam tau dien disappeared and xam gradually fell into oblivion. Facing the unstoppable decline of xam, researchers and devoted artists tried, but failed to revitalise the art form.

Nowadays, xam is considered an endangered form of Vietnamese traditional music because the number of experienced artists has rapidly declined. The younger generation usually prefers modern types of music.

The concert will begin at 6.30pm on Friday at the museum at 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street. The show, which is free of charge, will offer the public a chance to talk with xam artists. VNS