BUSKING: The competition attracted many clubs from across northern Việt Nam. Photo baomoi. com

HÀ NỘI The northern region and Ninh Bình xẩm (buskers' singing) clubs competition 2019 began yesterday in Ninh Bình Province.   

The ongoing competition was organised by the provincial department of Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, held at Ninh Bình Conference Centre.

A total 15 local buskers singing clubs from Hà Nội, Hài Phòng, Quảng Ninh, Nam Định, Vĩnh Phúc, Thái Bình, Thanh Hóa, and elsewhere participated in the event.

Each club joined in three performances including buskers' singing with old and contemporary lyrics.

Beside the main competition, activities like paying tribute to xẩm master singer Hà Thị Cầu, a seminar on the art of buskers' singing and a performance to promote Ninh Bình tourism were also held at the event.

Nguyễn Mạnh Cường, director of the province’s department of culture and information, said local authorities wished to create a space for singers and musicians to exchange experience via this festival

“We also wish to raise people's awareness of the importance of restoring, preserving and promoting the cultural values of buskers' singing,” he said.

Musician Thao Giang, chairman of the festival’s art council, said there are more and more buskers' singing clubs being established in northern provinces, bringing a breath of fresh air to the folk art.

“Beside old songs, clubs also bring in modern and fresh pieces,” he said.

The winners will be rewarded VNĐ20 million (US$870), while the runner-up gets VNĐ15 million ($650).

The festival runs until Thursday. VNS