The Collection of Vietnam’s Traditional Music and Stage Arts exhibition includes famous classical and folk arts like the nha nhac (court music) and royal dances, don ca tai tu (folk music performance), ca tru (ceremonial singing), and many music and dance forms of the ethnic minorities.

It also captures art forms like cheo (traditional opera), cai luong (reformed opera) and hat boi (classical drama).

The 51-year-old photographer traveled from the northern province of Ha Nam to the southern tip of the country, Ca Mau, over a period of five years (2003-2008) to tell a pictorial story about the country’s traditional arts.

Tung, who has studied music since he was 13 and now teaches at the HCM City Conservatoire, infuses his knowledge of music into his passion for photography.

It was after he published a book and CD-ROM titled Nhac Khi Dan Toc Viet (Vietnam’s Traditional Music Instruments) that the idea of capturing the spirit of Vietnam’s traditional arts with a camera came to his mind.

Tung’s collection will be on display at the HCM City Photography Association on Suong Nguyet Anh Street in District 1 until December 29.