The Da Co still resonates after a hundred years

Exactly 106 years ago, on the night of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month in 1919, Musician Cao Van Lau composed Da Co Hoai Lang to express his wife's longing for her husband. Over a century later, this immortal piece of music still lives forever in the hearts of music lovers, being cherished and promoted by generations of artists.

• Provincial Folk Arts Association: Establishment of "Da Co Tri Am" Club
• Cao Van Lau Theater is recognized as a typical tourist destination in the Mekong Delta.
• Cao Van Lau Theater: Typical architectural work of the Southern provinces and cities - 50 years of national reunification
• Solemn 49th death anniversary ceremony of musician Cao Van Lau

The memorial area for Southern amateur music and musician Cao Van Lau was built to pay tribute to the talented musician and at the same time become a highlight in tourism development.

These days, many amateur musicians and reformed opera artists in Ca Mau gathered at the Southern Amateur Music Art Memorial Site and musician Cao Van Lau to offer incense in memory of and pay tribute to the talented musician on the occasion of the 106th anniversary of the birth of the Da Co Hoai Lang piece (August 15, 1919 - August 15, 2025 lunar calendar). More than a century has passed, but with its soulful sound and lyrics imbued with the author's own life, this masterpiece still exists, touches people's hearts and continues to be cherished and passed down to future generations.

To honor his contributions, the People's Committee of Bac Lieu province (formerly) built a memorial site for Southern amateur music and musician Cao Van Lau in Bac Lieu city (now Bac Lieu ward). Here, the Am Vong Da Co Club was established to preserve and spread the heritage value.

The Da Co Echo Club performs for tourists.

After 8 years of operation, the Club has more than 30 members, including artisans, civil servants in the health and education sectors, and many young people who love traditional music. The Club maintains monthly activities, both practicing the instrument and lyrics, and creating a playground to nurture the love of traditional music. Artist Huynh Nhu shared: “Although I work in the education sector, I am always passionate about traditional music. Joining the Club helps me promote the values ​​left by my predecessors, and at the same time inspire students through practicing Da Co Hoai Lang.”

Club meeting of the Night Music Club.

True to its name, the Da Co Echo Club always opens its performances with this immortal piece of music, followed by 20 traditional songs of amateur art.

Artisan Lam Dung, Head of the Am vang Da co Club, shared: “The name Am vang Da co was given with the wish that the melody and lyrics of the masterpiece will resonate forever. After its establishment, the Club composed an excerpt of the same name, recreating the love story of musician Cao Van Lau, and performed it for tourists. This work was performed by young artists such as Chi Ngoan and Huynh Nhu in many amateur competitions and won high prizes. In addition to performing, the Club also built a stage as a place to live, practice and teach the skills of singing to the younger generation, creating a successor for amateur art.”

The song Da Co Hoai Lang was performed at the program Ve Bac Lieu nghe don ca tai tu within the framework of the Vietnam Salt Festival in March 2025.

106 years have passed, Da Co Hoai Lang is not only a song from personal feelings, but has also become the pride of the land and people of Ca Mau - Bac Lieu, leaving a lingering echo in the hearts of visitors when they come to the southernmost point of the Fatherland.

Huu Tho

Source: https://baocamau.vn/tram-nam-da-co-con-ngan-vang-a122864.html