At the award ceremony, the French Ambassador to Vietnam said Kich was honoured with the distinguished title for his great contributions to preserving and promoting “nha nhac” (Hue royal court music), a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The artist started performing “nha nhac” at grand royal ceremonies at the age of 16.

He has studied methods of recording royal court music to preserve the unique and highly developed art and has made musical notations for 30 “tieu nhac” and “dai nhac” songs.

“Tieu nhac” consisting of gentle melodies used to be played during royal gatherings and parties, while ‘dai nhac’ was used as background music for important events.

Kich can play seven musical instruments including ‘dan bau’ (a monocord), ‘dan nhi’ (a two-stringed vertical fiddle), ‘dan nguyet’ (a moon-shaped two-string lute), ‘dan ty ba’ (a pear-shaped lute with four strings) and ‘sao’ (a bamboo transverse flute).

Despite being 87 years old, Kich continues to give ‘nha nhac’ lectures at the Hue Fine Arts University and the Hue Culture and Arts College.

He is now chairman of the Phu Xuan “Nha Nhac” Club.