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| Betel nut offering culture, the beauty of Quan Ho people. (Source: PANO) |
According to VNA, on September 30, 2009, Quan ho folk singing of Bac Ninh was officially inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Since then, efforts have ensured the comprehensive protection of this heritage, shielding it from the challenges posed by changing times and circumstances.
Quan ho has evolved with a revitalised charm, blending its traditional essence with contemporary relevance. It continues to play a meaningful role in enriching the cultural and spiritual lives of the people, demonstrating its enduring value as a cornerstone of Vietnam's intangible cultural heritage.
Over the past 15 years, Bac Ninh province has introduced numerous policies and incentives to support Quan Họ artisans, invested in infrastructure and equipment, and dedicated significant resources to promote this unique art form both domestically and internationally.
Efforts in collecting, refining, preserving, and conducting scientific research have been carried out systematically.
In terms of promotion, Bac Ninh has been highly successful, organising numerous cultural programmes such as the "Journey to the Quan ho region," Bac Ninh Festivals, and heritage exchange events both at home and abroad. Quan ho has been extensively showcased through mass media, with coverage across various channels and publications.
The teaching and preservation of Quan ho has been implemented in diverse ways, including direct mentorship from artisans within homes and communities, the creation of Quan ho clubs for different age groups, short-term training courses for enthusiasts, televised singing lessons, and the professional training of Quan ho performers in specialised arts schools.
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| Quan ho folk singing performance (Source: PANO) |
Quan ho has evolved beyond its traditional village boundaries to become a vibrant force in the community's spiritual and economic life.
The art form has transformed from village performances to diverse stages, reaching audiences both domestically and internationally.
Originally, quan ho singing was only found on the southern bank of the Cau River in Bac Ninh Province. However, due to its significant influence, it spreads to neighbouring areas on the northern bank of the Cau river in Bac Giang Province. The Cau River is also known as the quan ho river.
There are opinions suggesting that quan ho dates back to the 11th century, while others believe it originated in the 17th century. All of them emphasise the significant value of the intangible cultural heritage of quan ho. This art form is considered the core of the culture of the Kinh Bac region, with a history of thousands of years of civilisation.
Compared to other forms of folk singing such as hat xoan, hat gheo, hat ca tru, hat vi dam, tuong, and cai luong, quan ho singing has existed the longest, with a lifespan of thousands of years.
Quan ho is a form of folk singing characterised by a duet format. The male singers, known as lien anh, wear traditional attire of folded scarves and the, shirts, while the female singers, known as lien chi, don elegant dresses and round hats made from palm leaves with long silk straps. They sing together in pairs, delivering simple and soulful verses in a traditional style that does not require musical accompaniment yet remains melodious.
Most quan ho songs follow the verse form of luc bat or its variations, and there are also songs in prose form. Up to now, at least 300 melodies of quan ho have been notated, consisting of verses and poems, primarily in the luc bat form, passed down by quan ho artists to collectors.
Quan ho was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage element of humanity in 2009.
Every year, as spring arrives, people from quan ho villages in the Kinh Bac region, including both Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces, return to their hometowns to join various local festivals, such as temple and pagoda ones. These festivals are incredibly unique because they have been closely associated with the tradition of quan ho singing for generations./.