The project will be carried out in 2012 and focus on researching, teaching and recording this unique type of music.

The institute will begin two research programmes, Popular Ceremonial Singing Melodies and Collection on Past and Present Ceremonial Singing, and commence four one-month beginner classes in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ha Tinh and HCM City to improve the singing and performance ability of young artists.

The initiative will also host two Ca Tru festivals in the port city of Hai Phong for clubs in the northern region and in Ha Tinh for groups in the central region.

The institute will submit plans to extend the programme from 2012-2020, which will include restoring a temple to singer Tran Thi Lan in the northern province of Thai Binh, a traditional arts conference in Hanoi heard on Thursday.

Deputy Director of the Cultural Heritage Department Le Thi Minh Ly said the main concern about preserving the art is that enthusiasm without professional knowledge could alter the heritage of the art form.

Vietnamese Folklorists Association chairman To Ngoc Thanh thought bringing the art into the school syllabus would be a better way to attract young people and thus ensure the future of the unique tradition.

One point agreed by all representatives was that Ca Tru has not made any headway in the last two years aside from receiving UNESCO recognition.