Top 9 Traditional Music Genres of Vietnam

Vietnam possesses a rich and diverse traditional music heritage that deeply reflects the nation’s history and culture. Below is a detailed overview of some notable traditional music genres and their origins:

Nhã Nhạc (Royal Court Music of Huế):

Nhã Nhạc is the official court music performed during important ceremonies of the Nguyễn dynasty, such as coronations, funerals, and major festivals. It reached its peak under the Nguyễn dynasty before the fall of Phú Xuân (Huế) in 1885. It is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003.

Quan họ is a traditional folk music style originating from the Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces in northern Vietnam. Known for its antiphonal (call and response) singing style, Quan họ typically involves a conversation between male and female singers, often performed during village festivals and special occasions. This musical form has been passed down orally through generations and holds significant cultural and social value.

Quan Họ

Quan họ performances are characterized by their melodic and lyrical nature, with songs revolving around themes of love, friendship, and rural life. The singers, called liền anh (brother singers) and liền chị (sister singers), dress in traditional costumes, with men wearing turbaned caps and women in four-panel traditional dresses (áo tứ thân). The harmonious blending of voices, particularly the use of bending notes and vocal ornamentation, makes Quan họ distinct from other Vietnamese musical forms.

Quan họ folk songs typically revolve around themes of love, longing, friendship, and the beauty of rural life. The lyrics often express emotions in a poetic and symbolic way, reflecting the cultural values and social interactions of the people in northern Vietnam. Common themes include:

1. Romantic Love: Many Quan họ songs are love duets where singers express their feelings of affection, admiration, and longing. These are often unspoken or subtle, following the cultural norm of modesty. The exchanges between the male and female singers convey tender emotions, with songs sometimes suggesting unfulfilled love or love from a distance.
2. Separation and Longing: The feelings of separation, waiting, and missing a loved one are recurring themes. Singers express the emotional pain of being apart from their beloved, symbolizing deeper emotions of attachment and yearning.
3. Friendship and Hospitality: Quan họ is not only about romantic love but also about the bonds of friendship and the importance of mutual respect. The songs often reflect the hospitality of the Vietnamese people, especially in the context of the traditional village culture, where guests are warmly welcomed with song.
4. Natural Imagery and Rural Life: Many Quan họ songs are filled with references to the beauty of nature—rivers, mountains, trees, flowers, and the changing seasons. These images are often used as metaphors for human emotions, such as the flow of a river representing the continuity of love, or a blooming flower symbolizing youthful beauty and vitality.

The poetic nature of Quan họ songs, combined with their expressive melodies, makes them a deeply emotional and culturally rich form of Vietnamese folk music.

In the past, Quan họ folk songs were traditionally performed without instrumental accompaniment, relying solely on the vocal performances of the singers. This vocal-only style allowed singers to focus on the intricacies of their melodies, harmonies, and the call-and-response format that defines Quan họ. The interaction between the male and female singers, along with their vocal ornamentations, created a rich and emotive atmosphere without the need for instruments.

Vocal Focus and Harmonization

• The beauty of traditional Quan họ lies in the harmonized voices of the liền anh (male singers) and liền chị (female singers). They would sing in pairs or groups, engaging in a dialogue through song. This format highlighted their vocal abilities, particularly their control over pitch and vocal ornaments such as bending and sliding between notes.
• Singers would take turns leading and responding, often harmonizing together, which made the performance complex and emotionally powerful despite being entirely vocal.

Modern Influence

In more recent times, Quan họ performances have sometimes been accompanied by traditional Vietnamese instruments, such as:

• Đàn bầu (monochord)
• Đàn tranh (16-string zither)
• Đàn nguyệt (moon lute)
  These instruments are added to modernize or enrich the performance for larger audiences, but the original form of Quan họ remains a cappella, with a strong emphasis on the purity of the voice.

In 2009, UNESCO recognized Quan họ as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, acknowledging its importance in Vietnamese cultural identity and efforts to preserve this unique art form.

Hoát Xoan (Xoan singing): Joys following the drum’s rythm

Hat Xoan, or Xoan singing, is a captivating genre of folk ritual performance deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual fabric of Vietnam. This traditional art form transcends mere entertainment, weaving together music, singing, and dance to honor ancestral spirits, village guardians, and communal values. Typically performed at the start of spring, Hat Xoan is most celebrated in Phú Thọ – the Ancestral Land of the Hung Kings, where its rhythms echo the rich heritage of Vietnamese spirituality and unity.

There are three forms of Xoan singing: worship singing to honor the Hung Kings and village tutelary gods, ritual singing to pray for good harvests and health, and festival singing, which is a form where men and women sing to express their feelings. Each of these forms serves a unique cultural and spiritual purpose, allowing the community to come together in a celebration of tradition and heritage. Xoan singing includes antiphonal singing between Xoan singers and village boys, creating a dynamic interaction that enhances the listening experience, as well as invitation dances with wine, which symbolize hospitality and the joy of community gatherings. Furthermore, the repertoire features songs depicting activities like fishing and herding – also known as fish catching songs, which express the desire for prosperity and abundance, serving not only as entertainment but also as a way to instill hope and collective spirit among the villagers, fostering a sense of identity and continuity within the community.

The vibrant melodies of Hat Xoan find their most prominent stage during spring festivals (around Jan 5 in Lunar Calendar) in Phu Tho Province, home to the Hung Kings’ temples. These events not only celebrate the cultural heritage of Vietnam but also serve as a platform for preserving and teaching Xoan singing traditions. Local initiatives, including workshops, community programs, and school activities, are instrumental in ensuring that this art form continues to thrive.

Hát Chầu Văn (Spiritual Singing):

Hát Chầu Văn is a traditional singing style associated with ritual ceremonies in the Mother Goddess Worship belief. It originated in the Red River Delta and is commonly performed in religious ceremonies.

Đờn Ca Tài Tử (Southern Folk Music):

Đờn Ca Tài Tử is a traditional musical art form from southern Vietnam, developed in the late 19th century. It has roots in ceremonial music, the court music of Huế, and local folk melodies of southern provinces. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 5, 2013.

Chèo (Vietnamese Traditional Opera):

Chèo is a folk theater art combining singing, dancing, and acting, popular in northern Vietnam.
It is believed to have originated from folk music and dance, particularly from comedic performances dating back to the 10th century. Over time, the Vietnamese developed these short comedic acts into full-length dramatic performances.

Hò (Work Songs):

Hò is a callandresponse folk singing style found in central and southern Vietnam, originating from the work songs of laborers. It plays a crucial role in the cultural and emotional life of the people, as it was historically sung during communal labor, such as rice planting and boat rowing.

Hát Xẩm (Xẩm Singing):

Hát Xẩm is a traditional folk singing style popular in the Red River Delta and midland regions, often performed by blind musicians to earn a living. According to legend, it was created during the Trần dynasty by a blind prince.

Ca Trù (Vietnamese Chamber Music):

Ca Trù is an ancient Vietnamese form of chamber music performed in northern and central Vietnam. It flourished from the 15th century and was once a prestigious form of entertainment for aristocrats and scholars.

These traditional music genres are not only invaluable cultural assets of Vietnam but also deeply reflect the lives, emotions, and sentiments of the Vietnamese people throughout history.