It is usually accompanied by acrobatics and martial arts and creates an atmosphere of festive merry-making. It has been tweaked and adapted into Vietnamese culture, and is a common sight on Vietnamese festivals such as Tet (The Vietnamese New Year) and the Mid-Autumn festival as well as events like business openings. The yellow and red dragon is a well-known Chinese motif that signifies power and good fortune. Traditional Vietnamese dance can be classified as: All of these have given rise to a vibrant performance culture in Vietnam, characterized by extravagant costumes, heavy make-up and Nhã Nhac ('elegant' music of the Imperial Court) tunes. The dominant kinh ethnicity in Vietnam have developed a variety of dance forms over the centuries, apart from the traditional dances each of the 54 minority groups in Vietnam has. Vietnamese Cultural DancesDong Son Drums, relics from the Red River Delta which date all the way back to 600 BCE, are carved with dancing figures That is how integral dancing has been to Vietnamese culture. It incorporates western elements such as harmony to traditional music, a fusion of the east and the west. Nhac dân toc cai biên is a relatively recent addition to the music scene, and has garnered mass appeal in Vietnam. The former is sung to invoke spirits during religious ceremonies and is trance-oriented, while conversely, the latter is sung by women for the powerful and elite men, a geisha-style of entertainment in a way.Ī Ca Trù Performance in Vietnam ( Source) The more popular traditions of folk music are Hat Chau Van and Ca Tru, both of which have emerged from under the repression of the colonial government. This form of music has diminished and is rarely heard nowadays. Hat Xam was performed by blind artists who travelled from place to place singing, somewhat like the bards of the west. Quan Ho and Ho are courtship songs sung acapella in northern and southern provinces of Vietnam respectively. Some of the more popular forms are the Chèo, Quan Ho, Hát Chau Van, Ca Trù, Hò, and Hát Xam. These have been divided into three categories: Nhã Nhac ("elegant music", ritual and ceremonial music), Dai Nhac ("great music"), and Tieu Nhac ("small music")įolk music has a richer history and is woven into the everyday lives of the Vietnamese. There were also songs composed in honour of gods and scholars such as Confucius, that were sung in temples and sometimes the King's chambers. The songs were mainly about wishing the king and his kingdom longevity and prosperity. Imperial Court Music, as the name suggests, was performed in the palaces of Tran and Nguyen dynasties. Traditional music in Vietnam can be divided into two genres: Imperial Court Music and Folk Music.
There are close to 50 national music instruments in the country, with percussion instruments being the most popular, followed by wind instruments and string intruments. It is highly diverse and heavily influenced by China, and to a lesser extent South Korea, Mongolia, Japan and the former Indochina Kingdom of Champa. Performing Arts: Music in Vietnamese CultureThe Vietnamese have always held music close to their hearts. Here's everything about Vietnamese culture to get you started on your South Asian extravaganza: More importantly, it shows that you're more than just a tourist, making you a traveller who is sensitive to local beliefs.Īn Orchestra of Traditional Music in Vietnam ( Source) As the cultural delta of Southeast Asia, it's necessary to immerse oneself in the grand culture Vietnam has amassed, truly enriching your travel experience and take back much more than just travelgram pictures.
Exploring the local culture and customs is a part and parcel of every holiday, particularly if your destination is Vietnam.