Bac Ninh City hosts first Original Quan ho Villages Festival in 2026
WVR - Through the program, Quan ho villages have the opportunity to showcase the unique aspects of their heritage practices, from folk melodies, communication etiquette, and behavior to traditional costumes and customs of the Quan ho people.
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| Quan ho singing on boats is a unique cultural performance that attracts the attention of many tourists. (Source: VNA) |
The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Bac Ninh City has recently issued Plan No. 171/KH-SVHTTDL to organize the First Original Quan ho Villages Festival in Bac Ninh City in 2026.
The event is expected to take place over three days, from November 16-18, at the Grand Hall of the City Cultural and Exhibition Center, Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, Southern Urban Area, Bac Giang Ward, Bac Ninh City.
This is an occasion to honor the heritage value of Bac Ninh Quan ho Folk Songs, while also creating a space for exchange, practice, and transmission of traditional cultural values within the community.
Through the program, Quan ho villages have the opportunity to showcase the unique aspects of their heritage practices, from folk melodies, communication etiquette, and behavior to traditional costumes and customs of the Quan ho people.
49 Original Quan ho Villages Gather to Spread Heritage Values
With the participation of 49 original Quan ho villages from 11 communes and wards, the festival is a meaningful cultural activity in the work of preserving and promoting the heritage value of Bac Ninh Quan ho Folk Songs.
According to the plan, each original Quan ho village will form a community art troupe with a minimum of 25 members. Participants include practicing artisans, male and female singers, members of Quan ho Folk Song clubs, and cultural enthusiasts living, studying, and working locally.
The troupes will develop an art program lasting no more than 20 minutes, consisting of three performances: solo, duet, and group singing. The content, order, and specific duration of each performance are chosen and arranged by the troupes, ensuring they fit within the total program duration and festival rules.
The performances will focus on introducing the ancient lyrics of Bac Ninh Quan ho Folk Songs, while highlighting the communication etiquette, behavior of the Quan ho people, traditional costumes, and performance styles rich in cultural identity of the original Quan ho villages.
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| Duet singing by male and female singers. (Source: VNA) |
Notably, the duet performance is required to be conducted in the traditional Quan ho singing style, prioritizing the call-and-response between male and female singers, without instrumental accompaniment. This content emphasizes the unique features of Quan ho practice, from the harmony of voices, articulation, and intonation to the courtship and responses between the singers.
Besides introducing ancient melodies, the troupes are encouraged to select songs with new lyrics based on the Bac Ninh Quan ho Folk Song melodies, provided the content aligns with the festival's theme and purpose. This approach allows the community to showcase their creativity while ensuring a connection with the traditional values that define Quan ho.
The organization of a festival dedicated to the original Quan ho villages also provides an opportunity for localities to recognize and introduce unique aspects of heritage practice, enhancing the connection between artisans, clubs, and those directly preserving and transmitting Quan ho Folk Songs at the grassroots level.
Community-Centric Approach in Heritage Preservation and Promotion
According to the Organizing Committee's orientation, the festival emphasizes the proactivity and creativity of the original Quan ho village communities, placing the community—the creators and practitioners of the heritage—at the center. Additionally, the troupes are required to limit the stage and modernization effects that could impact the identity of Bac Ninh Quan ho Folk Songs.
This orientation reflects a focus on the heritage practice environment and the role of the people in preserving cultural values that have been formed and enriched over generations, as Quan ho is not only an art of singing but also associated with customs, habits, communication etiquette, behavior, and distinctive cultural rules in community life.
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| A performance of Bac Ninh Quan ho Folk Songs. |
Through the festival, Bac Ninh City aims to raise awareness and responsibility among all levels, sectors, and the people in preserving the Quan ho cultural space, maintaining traditional customs, habits, and lifestyles. This is also an occasion for artisans, male and female singers, club members, and the community practicing Quan ho Folk Songs to meet, exchange, and share experiences.
From the exchange and performance activities, the festival contributes to discovering and nurturing potential cultural talents, encouraging the younger generation to participate in practicing and continuing the heritage. Through this, the traditional values of Quan ho have more opportunities to be preserved, transmitted, and spread in contemporary life.
The organization of the First Original Quan ho Villages Festival in Bac Ninh City in 2026 is expected to create additional momentum for the Quan ho Folk Song practice movement at the grassroots level, while also strengthening the connection between communities sharing the heritage. This contributes to affirming the community's role in preserving and promoting the value of Bac Ninh Quan ho Folk Songs, ensuring the heritage continues to be preserved and vividly present in today's cultural life.
