QUAN HO SINGING - A GEM OF VIETNAMESE CULTURE RECOGNIZED BY UNESCO

Quan ho singing are one of the invaluable intangible cultural heritages of the Vietnamese nation. With its sweet melodies and profound lyrics, Quan Ho not only brings joy to listeners but also plays an indispensable role in the spiritual cultural life of the people in the Kinh Bac region.

I. What is Bac Ninh Quan ho singing ?

Quan ho singing is a distinctive cultural symbol of the Vietnamese people, famous for their exquisite combination of music and lyrical call-and-response singing between men and women. This is not only a form of traditional art but also a profound expression of community spirit and solidarity. Quan ho singing often appear during festivals, weddings, and traditional events, playing an important role in honoring culture and national identity. UNESCO's recognition of Bac Ninh Quan ho singing as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has been an important step, helping to spread its value worldwide while simultaneously preserving and developing Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Artistic nature and cultural significance

The outstanding features of Quan Ho singing are the harmony between singing and dancing. Each song carries its own story, reflecting the thoughts and feelings of the people. This makes Quan ho singing a unique cultural symbol of the Kinh Bac region.

Quan ho singing are not only a part of the local culture but also contribute positively to the national cultural identity of Vietnam. Through the songs, we can gain a deeper understanding of the customs and traditional values of our ancestors. This also helps preserve and promote folk cultural values in the modern context.

II. Characteristics of Quan Ho folk songs

Quan ho singing has various forms: ceremonial singing, festival singing, competitive singing for prizes, and vigil singing. The "hat canh" between the local Quan Ho villagers and the guests, besides the songs " invitation to drink " and " offering betel nuts," consists of three singing stages: "Le loi voice," "Vat voice," and "Gia ban voice."

Quan ho singing is a form of duet singing with matching voices: the lead singer and the accompanying singer, responding to each other with skillful voice transitions. The voices of the two singers must harmonize to the extent that they become one, creating a unified sound. There are 4 techniques in Quan Ho singing: nen, ren, vang, nay.

Quan ho singing have 213 different melodies, with over 400 songs. The lyrics of a song have two parts: the main lyrics and the supplementary lyrics. The main lyrics are the core part, reflecting the content of the song, while the supplementary lyrics include all the sounds outside the main lyrics, such as interjections, breath sounds like "i hi," "u hu," "a ha," etc.

Quan ho singing are primarily an art of popularizing folk verses and poetry. This art form requires the use of auxiliary sounds and supplementary lyrics alongside the main sounds and lyrics to make the singing flow smoothly, add meaning to the main lyrics, enrich and make the lyrics more flexible, enhance the musicality of the song, develop the melody, make the music of the song lively, and create a logical structure.

III. Melody 

Quan ho is the most melodically rich genre of folk music in the treasure trove of Vietnamese folk songs. Each quan ho song has its own unique melody. So far, at least 300 quan ho songs have been transcribed. The quan họ songs introduced are just a part of the treasure trove of quan ho folk songs that have been discovered. The archive of thousands of ancient Quan Ho songs sung by artisans from Quan Ho villages is still preserved at the Department of Culture in the two provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh.

The traditional Quan Ho melodies: La rang, Duong ban Kim Loan, Cay gao, Gia ban, Hu la, La hoi, Tinh tang, Cai a, Len nui, Xuong song, Cai hon, cai a, Gio mat trang thanh, Tu quy…

IV. Costumes of the quan họ singers

The Quan Ho costumes are not just simple garments but also an indispensable part of this intangible cultural heritage. It reflects the traditional beauty, sophistication, and aesthetic taste of the people of Kinh Bac.

Traditional attire of the Lien Chi (female)

Three-piece dress: This is the most characteristic style of the Lien Chi. The shirt is made of multiple layers, creating softness and gracefulness when moving. The colors are usually muted tones like chestnut brown, black, and dark green, bringing a classic beauty.

Crow's beak scarf:The black headscarf not only protects from the sun and rain but also enhances the gentle and modest beauty of women.

Dress: The dress is usually black, made of silk or velvet, creating an elegant and noble appearance.

Thao strap hat: The hat is made from palm leaves, has a distinctive shape, and serves both to shield from the sun and to enhance beauty.

Shoes: The young women wear curved sandals made from buffalo leather using traditional methods.

Traditional attire of Lien anh (male)

Five-piece Ao dai: The five-piece ao dai is a traditional outfit for Vietnamese men, worn by the lien anh.

Pants: The pants are usually white and made of soft fabric.

Sash: The black sash is an indispensable accessory, creating a dignified and elegant appearance.

Shoes: The young man usually wears wooden clogs or leather shoes.

V. Quan Ho Culture

Quan ho culture also involves very skillful, subtle, discreet, and meaningful behaviors, such as the heartfelt and warm melodies of inviting guests for water and betel when they visit. "Hands raise the peach wine cup, pouring it out is regrettable, drinking it makes one drunk." Quan Ho people drink a cup of peach blossom wine to celebrate spring, festivals, and friendships... then sing to bid farewell to the night and welcome the day, and the farewell melodies are filled with nostalgia in the song "Oh, don't leave, my dear." Even after the night has faded and the festival has ended, the Quan Ho people still feel a deep sense of longing and remembrance: "Even when you leave, I still feel sorrowful, to love and to remember like this... When you leave, I dare not ask you to stay, the inner garment I wear, the outer garment you leave as a token..." And then to conclude with heartfelt promises of "See you next time"... in the next festival season.

Quan ho is the "behavior" of the people of Kinh Bắc, "whenever guests come to visit," not only "pouring water and brewing tea" to invite guests, but also with heartfelt songs: "Whenever guests come to visit, we light the coal, fan the water, and brew tea for you to enjoy/ this tea is very precious, my friend/ each person a cup to make me happy"...

FAQs

Where does quan họ folk music originate from?

Quan họ folk songs originated from the Kinh Bắc region, particularly Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang.

Where is quan họ folk singing performed?

Among the quan họ village festivals, the Lim Festival (Lim Town, Tiên Du District, Bắc Ninh Province) held on the 13th day of the first lunar month is the largest.

What is the significance of Quan Ho folk songs to Vietnamese culture?

Quan họ folk songs are not only a part of local culture but also a valuable cultural heritage, reflecting the Vietnamese national identity.

How to preserve and promote the value of Quan Ho folk songs?

To preserve and promote the value of Quan Ho folk singing, it is necessary to organize cultural, educational, and communication activities to raise awareness of its value within the community.

Conclusion
Quan ho singing are not merely music but also an indispensable part of the spiritual and cultural life of the Vietnamese people. With its sweet melodies and profound meanings, Quan Ho singing will always be preserved and promoted in the hearts of every citizen. Hope that future generations will continue to nurture this cultural flow, so that Quan Ho singing will not only remain a heritage but also serve as a bridge between generations.