SOUTHERN HERITAGE - Tài tử music, a traditional art genre of the south, was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013. Photo courtesy of Tây Đô Theatre.

CẦN THƠ— Tài tử music and vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes), genres that originated in southern Việt Nam around a 100 years ago, are offered free for visitors in Cần Thơ City. 

More than 20 professional artists and musicians, who work for the State-owned Tây Đô Theatre, work hard to perform a very unique style of tài tử music and vọng cổ.

Their shows start at 8am at the floating market of Cái Răng, a favourite tourist site of Cần Thơ, every Saturday. 

Discussions about the arts and traditional instruments are also included. 

“Our performances allowed visitors to enjoy traditional music and songs of Southern people, meet with local artists, and learn how to play and sing,” said singer-theatre director Lê Duy of Tây Đô Theatre. “Our shows target visitors who love to discover local culture and lifestyle during their trips.”

Duy and his colleagues have performed many free shows of tài tử music and vọng cổ songs in May and June. 

Their works feature Southern culture and lifestyle. 

One of their highlighted performances include Dạ Cổ Hoài Lang (Night Drumbeats for an Absent Husband), a popular vọng cổ song written in 1919 by well-known composer Cao Văn Lầu, a native of the Mekong Delta province of Bạc Liêu. 

The song tells of the love, anguish and pride of a young woman watching her husband fight for the country.  

TRADITIONAL MUSIC - Artists from the Tây Đô Theatre of Cần Thơ City perform free tài tử music and vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) songs for visitors. Photo courtesy of Tây Đô Theatre.

“We hope to bring our traditional music closer to visitors and help them understand why the art lives on,” Duy, a graduate of the HCM City University of Theatre & Cinematography, said. 

According to Duy, local authorities are working to give financial support to host more shows this year. 

Tài tử music and vọng cổ songs are often performed during festivals and special occasions, such as weddings and death anniversaries, in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces of Cần Thơ, Vĩnh Long, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau. 

In 2013, the music was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Tây Đô Theater, which opened in 2007, performs traditional music and theatre, often for free for people living in remote areas.

It has also worked to expand quality performances of traditional music for visitors.– VNS