Traditional arts come alive in Hanoi's new cultural heritage space

Visitors to Cadao Collective by West Lake can experience traditional Vietnamese art performances, including puppetry, xẩm singing (a form of Vietnamese folk music) and Ca trù (a complex form of sung poetry found in the north of Vietnam from the 11th century on), while engaging with artisans to discover the rich cultural heritage of Thang Long, the former name of Hanoi.

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The Cadao Collective space takes visitors on a journey through Thang Long’s culture across three experiential layers - village, street, and home, reflecting distinctive aspects of Hanoi’s lifestyle, art, and cuisine.

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The cultural space aims to create a new model for experiencing heritage, bringing traditional cultural values closer to the public through a creative, modern approach while preserving the authentic spirit of the heritage.

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The journey begins with the Puppet Show, where traditional folk performances such as shadow puppetry and water puppetry are brought to life on the thủy đình, a distinctive water pavilion of Vietnamese cultural performances.

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The programme features performances by the Tay Ho Puppetry Troupe, Hanoi’s sixth newly established puppetry troupe, adding vibrancy to the cultural scene around West Lake.

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Water puppetry performances blend traditional folk music with new compositions, creating a modern experience while preserving the essence of this traditional art form.

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The stage creates a harmonious fusion of traditional architecture and contemporary minimalist design.

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The shadow puppetry performance, combined with traditional music, creates an experience deeply rooted in heritage while infused with a creative spirit, enriching the audience’s experience.

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In the Xẩm Show, visitors can enjoy melodies that are rich in artistic value and cultural depth.

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The performance space introduces the public to melodies that reflect the life and spirit of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, featuring performances by People’s Artist Xuan Hoach, artisan Ta Hanh, and artist Tran Koong.

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The deeply emotional lyrics take audiences back to traditional folk performances that have been an integral part of Vietnamese life for centuries.

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People's artist Xuan Hoach, recognised by the World Masters organisation as a world-class artisan, remains steadfastly dedicated to xẩm and ca trù.

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Lively xẩm performances offer the audience, especially young people, an engaging experience with this traditional art form.

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A highlight of the programme is the interaction between visitors and artisans, who share the stories, traditions and techniques behind these centuries-old art forms.

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Visitors have the opportunity to experience these sounds firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the value of melodies that have been part of Vietnamese cultural life for generations.

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The journey of exploring fresh traditional art spaces by West Lake continues with the Ca Trù Kinh Kỳ show. The Thai Ha Ca Tru which are dedicated to preserving this art form host regular performances.

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In ca trù performances, the art form is presented in a refined and elegant style, featuring ca nương (female vocalists) such as People’s Artist Thanh Hoai, kép đàn (instrumentalists) Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Van Khue, and trống chầu (ceremonial drum) artist Nguyen Quyet Thang.

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The space, combining performing arts, cultural experiences, and contemporary creativity, is expected to become a new cultural tourism destination near West Lake.

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The space aims to connect communities with traditional art forms through accessible and engaging experiences, contributing to the preservation and promotion of heritage values.

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The programme combines art performances and culinary experiences, offering visitors a deeper insight into Vietnamese culture and identity at a new creative space near West Lake.