Come to My Son to listen to Bai Choi singing

The My Son Bai Choi singing team performed for guests. Photo: VINH LOC

The program has become an attractive cultural tourism product, bringing many experiences to visitors from near and far. “I was really surprised when enjoying this unique art form” - said Ms. Jenny, a tourist from the US.

According to the female tourist, at first she thought this was just a normal art performance, but when she heard the tour guide's introduction, she joined and felt the closeness and fun that the show brought. The reward Ms. Jenny received after the "party" of Bai Choi was a red ceramic statue of the god Shiva.

“This game is great, it's very interactive, you don't just get to watch the performance but you get to be part of the story” – Ms. Jenny happily said.

Officially held from the beginning of March 2025, the Bai Choi singing performance program at My Son mainly takes place on the 2 weekends along the roadside entrance to the center of the relic. The attraction of the show is not only the traditional folk songs of Quang region but also a game with prizes.

Players are given cards, then the “hieu” (artists who sing bai choi) will sing impromptu songs and chants to call out the names of the cards. Whoever has the card called out will receive a souvenir as a prize. This interaction has erased the distance between artists and visitors, bringing joy and excitement to everyone.

Foreign tourists are instructed to play bai choi. Photo: VINH LOC

Mr. Nguyen Nhi - Captain of the My Son Bai Choi Singing Team said that all the actors and musicians are farmers in the village. Because of their passion and love for Bai Choi, they connected to form a performance team.

“It is easier for Vietnamese guests to feel, but for foreign tourists, they are very confused because they do not understand Bài Chòi, so we have to translate and guide. When guests understand and participate, they are very excited. Through each song, we simultaneously introduce the culture and people of Quang to international friends,” Mr. Nguyen Nhi confided.

The seven members of the team (3 musicians, 2 main singers, 2 supporting singers and flag bearers) are all enthusiastic and responsible for their roles. Ms. Bui Thi Bich Tuyen, the main actress of the My Son Bai Choi team, said that every week the whole team focuses on practicing "applying" each verse to each flag appropriately (usually each flag has 2 verses). The content of the songs mostly mentions maternal love, love for homeland and country, occasionally incorporating details about the history and culture of My Son and the land of Quang.

“Most foreign guests do not understand all the lyrics, but they feel the melody and charm in each word. After the performance, they come to shake hands and thank us, that is the biggest motivation for us to continue to contribute,” said artist Bich Tuyen.

Although it has only been in operation for nearly 6 months, the Bai Choi singing program at My Son has brought many interesting experiences to tourists. According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet - Deputy Director in charge of the My Son World Cultural Heritage Management Board, the Bai Choi singing program is not simply a tourism product, but also part of the plan to preserve and promote heritage values.

“We want to bring a multi-sensory experience to visitors. There, visitors can see, listen, feel and interact. The use of traditional musical instruments and the arrangement of a small stage outside the temple complex have contributed to further honoring the values of My Son heritage,” said Mr. Nguyen Cong Khiet.

Visitors participating in the lucky draw game receive gifts. Photo: VINH LOC

Along with the Cham folk art program, local culinary experience, traditional craft performance or exploring the relics by bicycle..., the Bai Choi singing program at My Son Temple Complex has breathed life into the heritage space with unique cultural values of high community. From there, creating a unique connection and exchange between the past and present of the two cultures of Vietnam and Cham.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/den-my-son-nghe-ho-hat-bai-choi-3300099.html