UNESCO-recognised Quan Ho heritage finds a new stage in Hanoi

In recent years, Vietnam has increasingly embraced the idea of presenting traditional heritage beyond its original performance spaces in order to reach wider audiences. The Nhip Phach Kinh Bac programme, staged on August 1 at the Temple of Literature, continues that trend by bringing together the cultural legacy of ancient Thang Long with the graceful melodies of the Kinh Bac region.

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Rather than simply presenting folk performances on stage, the program recreated many defining elements of Quan Ho culture, including its traditional melodies, distinctive costumes and the call-and-response style of singing that has shaped the art form for centuries.

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Quan Ho originated in the cultural space of 49 traditional villages in Bac Ninh province ò the Kinh Bac region, a gateway to Hanoi.

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In 2009, UNESCO inscribed Quan Ho folk songs on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising not only their musical value but also the community spirit, social customs and humanistic values embedded in the tradition.

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Like many forms of traditional performing arts, however, Quan Ho faces the dual challenge of preserving authenticity while expanding its audience in contemporary society.

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Keeping the heritage alive requires more than safeguarding it in its native villages, it also means creating opportunities for people, especially younger generations, to experience and appreciate its cultural significance.

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In this context, the choice of the Temple of Literature as the venue carries symbolic meaning. As Vietnam's foremost symbol of scholarship and learning, the historic site became a meeting point between two remarkable cultural legacies: one representing the nation's educational tradition, and the other embodying the artistic heritage of the Kinh Bac region.

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The combination creates a richer cultural experience and offers audiences a new way to engage with Quan Ho in a setting steeped in history.

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Notably, the programme is designed not only for enthusiasts of traditional arts but also for casual visitors, international tourists and those experiencing Quan Ho for the first time.

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Presenting heritage in public cultural spaces linked to tourism and community activities allows its values to reach broader audiences beyond traditional festival settings.

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Many foreign visitors to Hanoi drop in, enjoying Quan Ho singing performances.

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A wide range of traditional Quan Ho folk songs are performed for audiences in Hanoi and visitors, bringing the heritage closer to the public and fostering greater appreciation of its cultural values today.

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Notably, Gen Z performers are breathing new life into traditional Quan Ho folk songs by blending them with contemporary genres such as rap and R&B.

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Over the years, Hanoi has gradually developed venues for traditional performances at historical sites, pedestrian streets and tourist attractions, bringing cultural heritage closer to contemporary life.

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Hosting Quan Ho performances at the Temple of Literature reflects a growing approach to heritage conservation that emphasises living traditions rather than static preservation.