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Enjoy traditional Vietnamese music by watching the video list below with the shows held in Hanoi.

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Vietnamese folk music is one of the most fascinating aspects of the country's culture. Through it, you can learn about the people, their talents, and what they value. It can also introduce you to other realms like drama and literature. You can even glimpse into the country's history and heritage by discovering the common types of Vietnamese folk music here.

1. How many types of folk music are there in Vietnam?

There are so many types of folk music in Vietnam that it is hard to keep count. They can be classified by their melodies, instruments, etc. The most popular ones include ngam tho, hat ru, ho, quan ho, ca Hue, xoan, bai choi, xam, cong chieng Tay Nguyen, and ca tru. Among these, UNESCO has recognized quan ho, ca Hue, ca tru, hat xoan, and cong chieng Tay Nguyen as intangible heritage.

Vietnamese folk songs are also diverse in the way they are performed. A genre of music can be distinctly expressed by different ethnic groups. For instance, some minorities sing lullabies while some play instruments, like the monochord or flute.
>>> Read more: Vietnamese folk songs: Famous songs across 3 regions & their meanings
2. An insight into various genres of Vietnamese folk music

2.1. Those originated from Northern Vietnam

Vietnamese folk music , originating from Northern Vietnam, is deeply rooted in the country's cultural heritage. It is known for its melodic tunes and rhythmic patterns, reflecting the daily life and experiences of Vietnamese people. Folk music in Northern Vietnam often features traditional string and percussion instruments. It can either be performed at large festivals or informal gatherings.

2.1.1. Quan ho folk singing

Quan ho singing is a Vietnamese style of folk music that involves male and female singers performing in turn.

The general pattern goes like this. A pair of female singers start with a verse "Câu Ra" and a pair of male singers respond with a matching verse "Câu Đối". These verses are similar in terms of the melody. Then, the order is reversed. The men will sing another "Câu Ra", and the women will follow with another "Câu Đối". The dynamic nature of quan ho makes it quite interesting to listen to.

Quan ho was first recorded in the 13th century, and since then, it has been common in the region's ceremonies and festivals. Typically, the songs revolve around emotive themes that evoke strong feelings in both the singers and listeners.

Cheo is a type of traditional Vietnamese arts originating in the Red River Delta. It includes both singing and dancing, consisting of dramatic elements, narrative techniques, and character expressions. Cheo is performed in ensembles called "Gánh Hát" or "Phường Chèo". During festivals, ensembles perform cheo from village to village.

Dan nguyet, dan nhi, and dan bau are popular instruments used in this type of Vietnamese folk music. Sometimes, flutes, drums, and cymbals are added. In modern cheo, other instruments are used to enrich the accompaniment, such as dan tranh, sao, and so on.

Ca tru is a form of Vietnamese folk art with an incredibly rich history. Its peak was in the 15th century, often performed for nobles and intellectuals. Ca tru beautifully blends poetry, music, and instrumentals. There is always a female vocalist, a lute player, and a spectator.

The female vocalist sings whilst playing small wooden sticks on a small bamboo bar. She is accompanied by a man who plays a long-necked 3-string lute. The spectator strikes a drum to indicate his approval or disapproval every passage of the song. It is done to the beat of the vocalist's percussion.

The term "Ca tru" refers to the bamboo cards that men would give to the singer after her performance. The singer would collect money based on the number of cards she was given.

This is another well-known type of Vietnamese folk music in the Red River Delta and Northern Midlands. With a dan bau or dan nhi, xam used to be a way for the poor to make a living. It would be performed in local markets, streets, and crowded public places rather than big stages. Today, only about 400 Xam songs are left. They are orally handed down from generation to generation.

2.1.5. Chau van

Chau van is a Vietnamese folk art that dates back to the 16th century and combines singing and dancing. It features poetic lyrics and a variety of instruments, rhythms, and tempos. It is used in rituals to help hypnotize the medium for the reception of deities and to accompany the medium's actions with appropriate music. As such, it plays a major role in the region's spiritual scene.

Xoan singing is a type of customary Vietnamese folk song that is also known as "Kuk Mon Dinh". It is typically performed in temples, shrines, and communal homes. Xoan singing is performed by a guild, which is led by a "Trùm". The guild consists of male instrumentalists called "Kép" and female singers called "Đào". In addition to singing, xoan includes acting, chanting, dancing, and drumming.

Besides these types of folk music in Northern Vietnam, there are other types that you might be interested in learning more about: trong quan, do, dum, etc.

2.2. Those originated from Central Vietnam

Vietnamese folk music that originated from Central Vietnam is a rich cultural treasure. It reflects the unique traditions, values, and history of the region. The melodies are gentle, evoking a sense of serenity and nostalgia, and the lyrics often revolve around themes of love, nature, and daily life in rural areas. Central Vietnamese folk music has distinct variations in different provinces within the region, each with its own characteristics.

2.2.1. Nha nhac (Hue Royal Court Music)

Ca Hue is a unique form of music that goes all the way back to the Ly Dynasty. Known for its elegance and grandeur, this Vietnamese folk music has a unique melodic structure and exquisite performance technique. The lyrics of Hue songs are often focused on themes like love, everyday life, nostalgia for the homeland, and history, making ca Hue easy to resonate with.

Ca Hue was exclusively performed for the royal family to entertain and express their social status. With intricate rhythms, precise notes, and graceful movements, the music deeply reflects the refinement of the royal court. Today, Hue Royal Court Music is celebrated as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, ensuring its preservation for future generations. It is a testament to Vietnam's rich cultural traditions and continues to captivate audiences with its charm.

Ho is a popular genre of Vietnamese folk music that is typically considered the southern style of quan ho. It is performed in an improvisational manner as a dialogue between a man and a woman. Love, courtship, and the countryside are common themes.

Unlike other Vietnamese traditional music types on this list, ho is very casual and intimate. It is derived from the people's habits in daily life, reflecting the mood of the singers themselves. Ho mostly occurs on the river. Ly is similar to ho, but it is not associated with labor and courtship. It is also more consistent, length-wise.

2.2.3. Bai choi

Bai choi is a folk art that combines music, poetry, drama, art, and literature. It is popular in the provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan. The artists perform bai choi either sitting on a rattan mat or walking around. It involves themes of morality, compassion, and unity. Bai choi was a simple means of entertainment that would bring people together and ensure that communities remained close-knit.

Often known as classical Vietnamese opera, tuong is a theatrical art form that mixes singing, dancing, and acting to tell Vietnamese stories. An important element of this Vietnamese folk art is stock characters that wear vibrant masks and costumes. Their personalities are demonstrated through the color of their face, the shape of their eyebrows, and the length of their beard. Tuong is most popular in Binh Dinh and Quang Nam. It is also greatly appreciated by Vietnamese people all over the country.

2.3. Those originated from Southern Vietnam

Vietnamese folk music originating from Southern Vietnam is another dynamic genre that reflects the region's rich cultural heritage. It often includes songs that depict stories of love and local customs. Like folk music from Northern and Central Vietnam, the one in Southern Vietnam can be performed at festive occasions or small gatherings.

2.3.1. Cai luong

Cai luong is a special type of storytelling singing that mixes several types of music in Vietnam. It originated from the beginning of the 20th century and blossomed in the 1930s. Today, it is a widely promoted national theatrical art form.

There are ancient cai luong and modern cai luong. The former includes legends and historical tales, while the latter focuses on stories about relationships and cultural norms. A cai luong performance typically consists of 20 songs, resembling Western operettas. Cai luong is very popular, even outside of Southern Vietnam.

2.3.2. Don ca tai tu (Southern Amateur Music)

This is a genre of chamber music that comes from the 17th century. It places an emphasis on raw vocals supported by an array of instruments, such as the moon-shaped lute, pear-shaped lute, 2-stringed fiddle, 16-stringed zither, monochord, and bamboo flute.

Don ca tai tu is widely performed by music ensembles. It was commonly heard at festivals, weddings, birthdays, and even funerals. This music form peaked in the early 20th century and remains a popular form of Vietnamese folk music today. It is estimated that some 2,500 groups and families in 21 Vietnamese provinces practice don ca tai tu.
>>> More on: Popular song in Vietnam: List of 22 top picks for musical enjoyment
3. Traditional music instruments used to perform Vietnamese folk music

There is a long list of instruments that accompany Vietnamese folk music. Here are a few of the most common ones:
Wind instruments:

Sao truc: In English, this is the bamboo flute. Often depicted in paintings of little boys riding buffaloes out in the field, sao truc is one of the most iconic Vietnamese musical instruments.

Ken bau: This instrument usually appears on important occasions like weddings and funerals. It has a bell made of dried gourd peels and produces strong, resonating sounds.

Percussions:

Dan da: This instrument consists of different-sized stone slabs. Tools are used to knock on the stones to create sounds. In a way, it is like the lithophone. Dan da is very popular in Central Vietnamese folk music.

T'rung: This is a popular instrument in the South. It is made of short and long bamboo tubes with a notch end and a beveled end. The tubes are attached to one another by strings.

Cong chieng: In English, this is called the gong. It is shaped like a disc and is usually made of brass. A small cong chieng produces high-pitched sounds, while a big one is low and loud.

Trong dong: This is the bronze drum in English. This instrument is quite large and heavy. Besides Vietnamese folk music, it is often used for festive and religious ceremonies.

String Instruments:

Dan nhi: This is a two-chord fiddle that has played a critical role in Vietnamese traditional music for a long time. It is also referred to as dan co, as its body and sound resemble that of a stork.

Dan bau: This is the monochord in English. It is also called doc huyen cam. It has a bamboo or wooden body and is strummed by a rod or plectrum. Dan bau delivers a deep but sweet sound.

Dan day: This is a long instrument that was created in the Le Dynasty. It is often used in ca tru. Depending on how it is strummed, dan day can mimic a variety of sounds.

Dan nguyet: This is a two-string instrument that is called the moon lute in English. It entered Vietnam's musical scene in the 11th century and has become an important instrument since then.

Dan ty ba: This is an instrument with four strings that takes the shape of a pear. Dan ty ba typically accompanies ca Hue and ca tru.

To delve deeper into the world of Vietnamese folk music, embarking on a Vietnam travel trip is recommended. As you traverse the country's diverse landscapes, such as in Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc, you will encounter a rich tapestry of traditional melodies that have been passed down through generations.

While exploring these destinations, you can consider checking out VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park , VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc. At VinWonders, there are many live shows, performances, and concerts that you can catch. These will allow you to have fun while also embracing Vietnam's heritage. You can also take lots of pretty pictures and sample delicious delicacies at these entertainment complexes.

There are many different types of Vietnamese folk music , and they all allow you to delve deeper into the country's history and heritage. The lyrics and melodies will tell you about Vietnamese people, including what they believe in and care about. That being said, there is truly no better way to immerse yourself in the culture of Vietnam and fully explore all that the country has to offer than coming here and listening to Vietnamese folk music.

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Vietnamese folk music: A guide through various traditional music genres

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Vietnamese folk music is integral to the country's culture. You can learn a lot about the people and what is important to them through their folk music.

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Traditional Vietnamese Music : Genres and Instruments

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Traditional Vietnamese music is a unique art form that has been passed down for centuries. In this article, we’ll explore the different music genres as well as the instruments used to create it.