Hanoi preserves and promotes the value of Ca Tru heritage

Hanoi Ca Tru gradually emerges from the state of emergency protection

The art of Ca Tru is closely associated with the space of poetic and ritual culture, and was performed in communal houses, temples, ancestral shrines, and especially in the space of "ca quan", where literati and artists enjoyed the art. Ca Tru reflects an important part of the culture of the Vietnamese people in the North, with the center being Thang Long - Hanoi. Professor Tran Van Khe once commented that Ca Tru is a Vietnamese scholarly art form with a performance structure consisting of 3 components: female singers, male singers, and officials.

People's Artist Nguyen Thi Tam and members of the Thuong Mo Ca Tru Club. Photo: Thien Tu

Ca Tru has undergone a development process from at least the 15th century to the present, performed in diverse cultural spaces, in many different historical periods. Ca Tru demonstrates a sense of identity and continuity in performing arts, with creativity, passed from generation to generation through guild organizations.

Faced with the risk of losing the original songs and styles of ancient Ca Tru, along with many challenges, on October 1, 2009, Vietnam's Ca Tru was inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This inscription also shows Vietnam's comprehensive vision for protecting the Ca Tru heritage.

As one of the cradles of Ca Tru, in recent years, Hanoi has always paid attention to implementing many measures to protect and promote the value of this unique art form. Many Ca Tru clubs have been established in Hanoi such as: Ca Tru Thang Long, Ca Tru Ha Noi, Ca Tru Kim Duc, Ca Tru Thai Ha, Ca Tru Lo Khe, Ca Tru Dong Tru, Ca Tru Ngai Cau, Ca Tru Chanh Thon, Ca Tru Xuan Dinh, Ca Tru Thuong Mo, Ca Tru Hoa Huu, Ca Tru Ha Thanh, Ca Tru Thieu Xuong, Ca Tru Center for Vietnamese Music Development, or Ca Tru group ofFPT University Hanoi by a number of students who love and practice Ca Tru in the school environment. Many clubs have made efforts to organize regular performances at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, the Center for Cultural Exchange of the Old Quarter, scientific seminars and tourism events to help the public have access to Ca Tru.

Notably, since Ca Tru was recognized by UNESCO in 2009, many artists have actively taught and popularized Ca Tru to the younger generation. Typical examples include People's Artist Nguyen Thi Tam, People's Artist Nguyen Thi Chuc, along with many other outstanding artists such as Pham Thi Hue, Nguyen Phu De, Pho Kim Duc, Dinh Khac Ban, Dinh Thi Nghia, Dinh Thi Ban, Nguyen Thi Khieu, Bach Van, Van Mai, Nguyen Thi Chin, Nguyen Thi Thanh, Nguyen Thi Thiep...

Hanoi has achieved many results in preserving the art of Ca Tru. Photo: Duy Khanh

In particular, the Hanoi People's Council issued Resolution No. 23/2022/NQ-HDND dated December 8, 2022 regulating the treatment and support regime for People's Artists, Meritorious Artists, artisans and outstanding clubs in the field of intangible cultural heritage of Hanoi, including Ca Tru heritage. The treatment regime under this Resolution has many advantages and has been positively received by the community.

Specifically, the City provides one-time support for artisans awarded the title of People's Artist by the State of 40 million VND, for Meritorious Artists of 30 million VND; initial support when a club is established to purchase equipment and props of 50 million VND/club; annual operating budget support for typical clubs that operate regularly, protect and promote the value of intangible cultural heritage in the area effectively: 20 million VND...

Hanoi is the locality with the largest number of artisans awarded the honorary title of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist in the field of intangible cultural heritage in the country, including the art of Ca Tru performance. Through 3 conferments in 2015, 2019 and 2022, Hanoi is the leading unit in the country with 131 artisans, including 18 People's Artists and 113 Meritorious Artists. Particularly, the folk art of Ca Tru has 32 artisans awarded the title, including 8 People's Artists and 24 Meritorious Artists.

This is a result showing that the folk performing art of Ca Tru in Hanoi has achieved encouraging results. Ca Tru Hanoi has gradually emerged from the state of emergency protection, making an important contribution to the protection and promotion of the value of this cultural heritage.

Promoting heritage values

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Bao Lan - Hanoi National University of Education, the period of international integration with the globalization trend today has been and is profoundly changing the world cultural picture. Traditional cultural values of Vietnam, including folk performing arts such as Ca Tru, are facing great opportunities and challenges.

Ca Tru art can be exploited to develop cultural industry. Photo: Duy Khanh

Ca Tru is not only a symbol of traditional art but also an important part of the cultural consciousness of Vietnamese people, especially in Hanoi. In the context of international integration, preserving and promoting the artistic value of Ca Tru Hanoi is not only a cultural responsibility but also a problem of sustainable development of national heritage.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Bao Lan, in Hanoi, efforts to preserve Ca Tru have achieved some initial positive results such as the formation of Ca Tru clubs, the organization of teaching classes and thematic festivals... However, there are still many shortcomings, such as a thin inheritance force, an unsynchronized support mechanism, and the intrusion of modern forms of entertainment that greatly affect the environment for nurturing the heritage.

“In order for Hanoi ca tru to truly promote its value in the era of international integration, it is necessary to have a comprehensive, long-term preservation and development strategy, from training the next generation, digitizing documents, innovating promotion to perfecting policies. If the above solutions are implemented synchronously and systematically, they can create a solid foundation for the strong revival of ca tru” - Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Bao Lan expressed.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hang - Institute of Cultural Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) also acknowledged that the development of cultural industries today has opened up opportunities to reposition Ca Tru heritage as a cultural product. This requires creative business strategies and a close monitoring mechanism from the community, ensuring that the heritage is both a cultural product and a resource for future generations.

Competition performance at the 4th Hanoi Ca Tru Festival - 2025. Photo: Duy Khanh

Notably, as the leading locality in the country in both quantity and quality of practicing Ca Tru heritage, Hanoi is the only unit that regularly organizes Ca Tru Festivals. Recently, the 4th Hanoi Ca Tru Festival - 2025 was held, recording the largest number of contestants and clubs participating with 21 groups, clubs and independent contestants, 16 collective dance and singing contests, 105 contestants competing in the contest of female singers, double musicians and drum players.

According to the Organizing Committee's assessment, this year there are many good voices, resonant, expressive, clear and round, choosing a style suitable to the voice, the strings and drums blend together, slowly, many good singers. If in the past, ca tru was often passed down from father to son, today it has become popular with the community, especially students, university students and young people.

“We also especially appreciate the People's Artists and Meritorious Artists who have devoted their hearts to teaching and supporting many contestants, lute players, and drum players participating in the Festival. We clearly see the enthusiasm, efforts, and love for Ca Tru of the artists” – the representative of the Jury shared.

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi Anh Mai emphasized that the Hanoi Ca Tru Festival aims to continue to contribute to preserving and promoting the value of this unique art form; encourage and promote the teaching and practice of Ca Tru at the grassroots level, and at the same time discover and nurture young talents for Ca Tru in the capital. The 2025 Ca Tru Festival was successfully organized, recording many encouraging results, contributing to the gradual revival of Ca Tru art in Hanoi.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/ha-noi-bao-ton-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-ca-tru.882465.html