Though she lives far from her homeland, Nguyen Thi Thu Hong can stilldelve into nostalgia with folk songs she has enjoyed since childhood.
Manyothers do the same in Krong Nang district in the Central Highlandsprovince of Dak Lak. They come from the northern provinces of Bac Ninhand Bac Giang, the cradle of quan ho (love duets).
It's a famous type of folk music often performed during spring festivals in the northern region.
Alternatinggroups of female and male singers issue musical challenges andresponses to each other. Most of the songs in the repertoire deal withyoung adult love and romance.
They spread their love for quan hothrough clubs and performances, slowly transforming Krong Nang districtinto the musical performance's second homeland.
"Singing quan ho helps us show our pride for our cultural heritage," said Hong.
"We also want to show it to our children, and tell them about our origins."
When Tan Hiep village, where Hong resides, received the title of Cultural Village in 2006, the people organised a celebration.
Hongand her fellow countrymen decided to perform quan ho songs. But theycouldn't find non quai thao (flat palm hats with fringes) and ao tu than(four-panel traditional robes), which quan ho singers traditionallywear while performing.
So they made the hats from the flat winnowing basket used to raise silkworms and sewed the dresses themselves.
"Atthe beginning, we felt shy because we hadn't performed in front of manypeople," said Hong. "On the other hand, we knew that our costumeslooked very weird."
The performance got a warm welcome from theaudience, which applauded heartily. Since then, they've sung regularlyand brought more people in to join them.
Nguyen Kim Truong, amember of the first love duets club in Tan Hiep village, said the clubhas been granted many prizes at competitions and festivals in theprovince.
"We work on the pepper and coffee plantation in themorning and practise singing in the afternoon," said Truong. "It takes alot of practise for us to perform well. We listen to the songs on CDs,write down the lyrics and learn them by heart."
Truong said thesinging lives in their hearts. Though they work hard in the fields, theystill practise quan ho whenever they can. They perform at festivals,weddings, birthdays, and celebrations for new houses and new crops.
"Thanksto singing, we are happy and excited. We feel the joy of living andstay healthy," said Tran Van Vu, head of Quyet Tien village's quan hoclub.
"Some people as old as 70 still love singing, even when they feel tired after several songs."
TruongQuang Huy of the district office of culture and information saidsinging quan ho has become a beautiful tradition for local people.
"Manypeople from the northern region migrated to the Central Highlands toreclaim lands and earn a living, starting in 1998," he said.
"Theyhave built up a fine lifestyle in their new homeland. They volunteer tojoin the clubs, practise and buy costumes and sound systems with theirown money. We highly appreciate their willingness.-VNA
Manyothers do the same in Krong Nang district in the Central Highlandsprovince of Dak Lak. They come from the northern provinces of Bac Ninhand Bac Giang, the cradle of quan ho (love duets).
It's a famous type of folk music often performed during spring festivals in the northern region.
Alternatinggroups of female and male singers issue musical challenges andresponses to each other. Most of the songs in the repertoire deal withyoung adult love and romance.
They spread their love for quan hothrough clubs and performances, slowly transforming Krong Nang districtinto the musical performance's second homeland.
"Singing quan ho helps us show our pride for our cultural heritage," said Hong.
"We also want to show it to our children, and tell them about our origins."
When Tan Hiep village, where Hong resides, received the title of Cultural Village in 2006, the people organised a celebration.
Hongand her fellow countrymen decided to perform quan ho songs. But theycouldn't find non quai thao (flat palm hats with fringes) and ao tu than(four-panel traditional robes), which quan ho singers traditionallywear while performing.
So they made the hats from the flat winnowing basket used to raise silkworms and sewed the dresses themselves.
"Atthe beginning, we felt shy because we hadn't performed in front of manypeople," said Hong. "On the other hand, we knew that our costumeslooked very weird."
The performance got a warm welcome from theaudience, which applauded heartily. Since then, they've sung regularlyand brought more people in to join them.
Nguyen Kim Truong, amember of the first love duets club in Tan Hiep village, said the clubhas been granted many prizes at competitions and festivals in theprovince.
"We work on the pepper and coffee plantation in themorning and practise singing in the afternoon," said Truong. "It takes alot of practise for us to perform well. We listen to the songs on CDs,write down the lyrics and learn them by heart."
Truong said thesinging lives in their hearts. Though they work hard in the fields, theystill practise quan ho whenever they can. They perform at festivals,weddings, birthdays, and celebrations for new houses and new crops.
"Thanksto singing, we are happy and excited. We feel the joy of living andstay healthy," said Tran Van Vu, head of Quyet Tien village's quan hoclub.
"Some people as old as 70 still love singing, even when they feel tired after several songs."
TruongQuang Huy of the district office of culture and information saidsinging quan ho has become a beautiful tradition for local people.
"Manypeople from the northern region migrated to the Central Highlands toreclaim lands and earn a living, starting in 1998," he said.
"Theyhave built up a fine lifestyle in their new homeland. They volunteer tojoin the clubs, practise and buy costumes and sound systems with theirown money. We highly appreciate their willingness.-VNA
