Xoan Singing in Phu Tho

Xoan Singing is a unique cultural product of Phu Tho. It is closely tied to legends from the time of the Hung Kings. Also known as “Hat cua dinh” (Dinh singing), it is a folk performance expressing the worship, customs, and rituals honoring the Village Guardian Deities and village festivals. It involves singing to commemorate the Hung Kings during the early days of spring. Xoan groups perform at temples and village shrines. On the 1st day of Tet, Xoan groups sing at An Thai, Kim Duc, Phu Duc, and Thet temples. From the 5th day of Tet, all four Xoan groups sing at various temples, connecting villages in the “water alliance.” Xoan groups perform from the 5th day of the Lunar New Year until the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month.

Xoan Singing in Phu Tho includes three main elements:

Ritual Singing (Hat nghi le): This is performed in front of the temple to invite the Kings to attend the village festival. It includes chanting and acts as a prayer, expressing emotions towards the spirits and praising the divine.

Qua cach (Interchanging Songs): These songs wish good things for the Kings and narrate stories related to the life, history, and occupations of the villagers. Each “qua cach” typically consists of three parts: Giao cach (introduction), dua cach (middle part), and ket cach (conclusion).

Male-Female Dialogue Singing: This part involves the exchange of sentiments between male and female performers, symbolizing a romantic connection between Xoan blossom and village boys.

Ritual Singing involves prayers and invocations, portraying the people’s emotions in front of the divine and later praising the spirits. Qua cach describes contemporary life, historical events, natural scenery, or folk tales. Male-Female Dialogue Singing is a stage of interaction that includes various folk activities.

Xoan Singing is not just a pure singing style; it is a festive gathering. Xoan gatherings involve folk songs, dialogue, flower offerings, riddles, and traditional folk performances like Cai hoa and Mo ca. The lyrics in Xoan singing incorporate elements from both scholarly and folk cultures.

Recognizing its cultural and historical significance, UNESCO officially recognized Xoan Singing in Phu Tho as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding on November 24, 2011. When visiting Phu Tho, tourists can enjoy the unique and impressive Xoan melodies through the program “Xoan Singing in Ancient Villages,” experiencing the cultural values passed down through countless generations.