Cai luong (Reformed Theatre)
Cai Luong (roughly translated as “renovated theatre”) is a form of modern folk opera, particularly famous in Southern Vietnam. It is the convergence of southern Vietnamese folk songs, classical music, tuong (a Chinese-based classical theatre form) and modern spoken drama. It took origin in Southern Vietnam in the early 20th century and blossomed in the 1930s as a theatre of the middle class under the French colony. Listening to cai luong songs, one can feel their beautiful lyrics praising Vietnamese moral values. Hence, as time went by, cai luong has been preserved and become a national theatrical form desired by both Vietnamese people and foreign visitors.
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The Quan ho singing tradition
For the Bac Ninh people, festivals not only allow them to highlight their own village's specialties, such as ceramics, folk painting, wrestling, kite parades, or bird contest, among a great many other things, but also their common prized heritage, the quan ho singing tradition.
Lullaby singing
When I was a baby, my mom and my grand mom used to sing the Vietnamese lullabies for me. It was just not to lull me to sleep but also was the way they connected to my heart. At that time, I could not understand the meaning of the lullabies but I could feel the warmth and sweetness of my mom and my grand mom. And I grew up with these lullabies…
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Ca tru singing
Perhaps, the most important catalyst in the development of contemporary Vietnamese folkloric performance was the appearance of the call-and-response dialogue song. These kinds of songs have created a significant role in forming the Vietnamese culture values. Witnessing a ca tru play means hearing the beautiful voice of lady singers and at the same time, enjoying the poem written for this style of singing!
Chau van singing
Chau van (or frequently called trau van) is a religious form of art which combines singing and dancing and used for extolling the merits of beneficent deities or national heroes. Its music and poetry are mingled with a variety of rhythms, pauses, tempos, stresses and pitches.
Tuong singing (Classical Opera)
Tuong singing is one kind of Vietnamese tragicomedy and comic opera with gestures or costume. Serving an educational purpose, it is a combination of songs, dances and dramatic actions, associating with the interpretation as well as the stylization of gestures.
Have you ever listened to “Nhac tien chien”?
“Outside on the veranda, the autumn rain is gently falling. The somber sky is quieting, suspended clouds are scattering. Amidst the muffled wind blowing past in the autumn rain, who's crying? who's grieving...” are the so beautiful lyrics of a popular “Nhac tien chien” song named “Autumn Rain Drops” (or “Giot Mua Thu” in Vietnamese) by Dang The Phong, that makes us feel nostalgic...
Vietnamese spiritual life!
Spiritual life is a belief or practice irrationally maintained by ignorance or by faith in magic or chance. It is totally unscientific; however, there is a lot superstitious culture on over the world. Different spiritual life will be found in different countries. Asia which is a cradle of the world’s culture has a lot of mystery, legend of super natural power. Vietnam is one of Asian countries; so there are many superstitious people and culture in my country Vietnam.
Cyclo - a breath in Vietnamese life
It is not easy for a particular vehicle to exist, to be honored and loved for generations. However, a rudimentary and simple cyclo in Vietnam has done it!
Vietnam’s past Educational System
In comparison with other developing countries, Việt Nam's population enjoys a relatively high standard of education. In the past, Vietnam’s educational system was affected by many cultures, of which the Chinese and French had most significant influence.
