Young artists renew folk culture

Hoang Thuy Linh once made an impression with "Let Me Tell You". Photo: Artist provided

Preserve and spread - creative imprints of young artists

The workshop "Vietnamese folk culture and arts after the country's reunification (1975 - 2025)" recently organized by the Vietnam Folk Arts Association showed a vivid picture of the 50-year journey of preserving and promoting heritage. folk culture

According to Professor Dr. Le Hong Ly - Chairman of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association, in addition to the research, collection and restoration work being promoted, one of the most positive signals today is the emergence of a generation of young artists who know how to renew traditional materials, turning folk sounds into a source of creative inspiration in music , theater, fashion and visual arts.

In recent years, the public has witnessed a strong rise of artistic products with a folk feel but expressed in contemporary language. A typical example is Hoa Minzy with the MV Thi Mau, inspired by ancient Cheo but retold with modern acting, music and images, with brilliant colors. The product quickly created a "fever" on social networks, attracting tens of millions of views, bringing the image of Cheo characters closer to young audiences.

Following the same trend, many young artists such as Hoang Thuy Linh, Bich Phuong, Truc Nhan or Duc Phuc... are also looking for ways to incorporate Vietnamese folk culture into their music products. MVs “Let Mi tell you”, “Tu Phu”, “See Tinh” by Hoang Thuy Linh are typical examples of the smooth combination of modern music and traditional materials.

Recently, the MV "Bac Bling" by a group of young artists (Hoa Minzy, Tuan Cry...) combined Quan Ho folk songs in a modern EDM mix, creating an interesting blend between tradition and new sound technology.

These creations not only rekindle love for heritage but also help folk culture “live” in the digital age.

On platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Spotify… many folk melodies are remixed, covered, and spread at a dizzying speed. Ancient songs that seemed unfamiliar are now being hummed by the young generation, re-created in their own way.

Expectations and challenges in the journey to preserve the national soul

According to cultural experts, the fact that young artists proactively return to their roots and incorporate folk materials into contemporary creations is a manifestation of maturity in artistic awareness and social responsibility.

The rapid development of digital technology is both an opportunity and a test for cultural heritage. Folk melodies and ancient tunes need to be systematically “digitized” to survive long-term, and at the same time become an open source of materials for creators.

However, according to Professor - Doctor Le Hong Ly, the development of technology is also a big challenge for folk culture, because the space and living environment of folk culture is in the countryside. Due to the influence of the strong international integration process, the countryside is gradually urbanized, the space for folk culture and arts is gradually narrowing.

Therefore, in the coming years, many expectations are placed on cooperation programs between young artists and the Vietnam Folk Arts Association to be implemented more strongly. Thereby, creating a "generational bridge" - where folk experience and knowledge are passed on to the young creative generation, helping folk culture continue to live and adapt flexibly to modern life.

Sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper, Dr. and cultural researcher Tung Hieu said: “We should not consider folk culture as something old, but as a source that always flows in the Vietnamese soul. If told in a new language, it will continue to be spread, inspire and become pride in every artistic creation".