Reviving the Past, Captivating the Future: Vietnam's Youth Lead the Way
In the bustling city of Hanoi, a unique blend of old and new is taking shape, and it's not just about the vibrant streets and modern architecture. Vietnamese youth are on a mission to breathe life into their country's rich traditional arts, and their innovative approach is nothing short of inspiring.
The Xam Revival: A Modern Twist on Ancient Melodies
Imagine a time when the streets of northern Vietnam echoed with the soulful tunes of "xam," a folk singing tradition performed by blind buskers. Fast forward to today, and this ancient art form has almost faded into obscurity, overshadowed by the fast-paced rhythms of modern life.
But here's where it gets interesting. Vietnamese pop star Soobin Hoang Son has stepped up to the challenge, infusing "xam" with a fresh, contemporary vibe. His latest music video, "Muc ha vo nhan," translates to "Seeing No One Below Your Gaze," and it's a masterpiece of modern fusion. With rap and pop influences, and a sprinkle of folk iconography, this song has captured the attention of young and old alike, even the little ones!
Le T.T. Huyen, a 35-year-old from Hanoi, was pleasantly surprised to see her son captivated by the song's unique sounds. "He's usually into cartoon theme songs," she said, "but suddenly he was curious about the instruments, the costumes, and the paintings. It's amazing!"
In just three days, the music video racked up an impressive 3 million views, taking audiences on a journey back to the spirit of northern Vietnamese countryside, where "xam" once thrived.
Soobin's passion for traditional music is evident. "I love folk songs and traditional instruments," he shared at the video's launch. "I want to keep these elements alive and make them appealing to young people."
And he's not stopping there. This month, Soobin plans to launch the "Xam to Schools" program, partnering with the Vietnam Center for Promotion and Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The goal? To bring the magic of "xam" to students across three regions, ensuring this ancient art form finds a new generation of enthusiasts.
Beyond Xam: A Creative Renaissance
The revival of traditional arts in Vietnam extends far beyond "xam." Different art forms are being reimagined and given a creative makeover.
At FPT University, a student-led campaign called "Neo cheo" (Preserving Vietnamese Traditional Opera) is breathing new life into "cheo," a centuries-old art form that blends folk songs, instrumental music, and dance into captivating stories inspired by legends, poetry, history, and daily life.
Tran Duc Anh, a 21-year-old member of the "Neo cheo" team, explains, "We wanted to explore why something so beautiful as 'cheo' seemed distant to young audiences."
Through surveys, the team discovered that young people craved a modern twist. They wanted to experience "cheo" through new formats, perhaps with a touch of rap, electronic dance music, or acoustic arrangements.
Taking this feedback on board, the team produced the animated music video "Duyen phan phai chieu," meaning "A Fated Love One is Bound to Obey." The response was overwhelming. Young audiences were delighted to find emotional relevance in centuries-old melodies, with some even getting goosebumps!
"We redesigned characters and costumes in animated forms and gave ancient melodies an electronic dance music and hip-hop makeover," said Do Phuong Linh, a member of the team. "We're thrilled with the warm reception!"
Pop singer Hoa Minzy also joined the movement with her music video "Bac Bling." She blended "quan ho," a UNESCO-listed love duet tradition, with pop and rap, captivating audiences worldwide with over 100 million views in just one month. Proof that folk traditions can indeed captivate a global audience when presented through a modern lens.
A Cultural Shift: Preserving Vietnam's Heritage
Mai Van Lang, deputy director of the Vietnam Center for Preservation of Traditional Performing Arts, sees these experiments as part of a broader national effort. Following the 2021 National Cultural Conference, which reaffirmed culture as the nation's spiritual foundation, traditional culture preservation has become a priority.
"Both professional and amateur artists are encouraged to revive folk heritage," Lang explained. "It's not just a trend; it's a long-term cultural shift."
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh even met with outstanding youth earlier this year, urging them to lead the digitization of cultural data to safeguard traditions like "xam," "cheo," and "tuong."
So, what do you think? Is this a cultural revival we can all get behind? Let's spark a conversation in the comments and share our thoughts on this inspiring movement!
