Ha Tinh (VNA) 🦩- Since the Nghe Tinh Vi-Giam folk singing was officially recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2014, the central province of Ha Tinh has paid significant attention to preserving and promoting the art genre.

Including the folk singing into school curricula has proven effective in preservation efforts. Phan Kinh Primary School is located in Kim Song Truong commune, Can Loc district, known for its rich culture and education traditions, and as the birthplace of the Truong Luu Vi singing. In recent years, the school has prioritised teaching students about local history and traditions. Its Vice Principal Tran Thi Thu Hien said to help students learn about folk songs of their homeland, the school has established a Vi-Giam folk singing club that meets weekly, adding most of the nearly 40 member students show great interest in and affection for these traditional melodies. Meanwhile, Vo Thuy Hien, a teacher at Thach Ha town Primary School, has nurtured her students' love for folk songs through extracurricular activities and school cultural festivals. She said Vi-Giam folk songs have unique melodies and styles, with each of them performed in its own way. Her students have learned both easy and complex songs, so they can master each version step-by-step. Nguyen Tran Ha Vy, a fourth grader at Thach Ha town Primary Sschool, said that she is interested in learning Vi-Giam folk songs. "The folk songs and melodies have sparked a sense of pride in our local cultural heritage, helping us connect more deeply with our roots," she said.

Preservation efforts

Implementing resolutions of the provincial People's Council regarding the preservation and promotion of the Vi-Giam cultural heritage, the provincial Department of Education and Training has asked local schools to promote folk song teaching and establish clubs.Currently, there are 269 such clubs across the province, comprising 8,187 members who are both teachers and students. Nguyen Duy Ngoc, head of the Bureau of Political and Ideological Affairs under the Department of Education and Training, said teaching Vi-Giam folk songs at schools brings significant results, explaining that it helps students appreciate cultural heritage and shape the musical tastes of today’s youth. However, he said, challenges remain, particularly regarding funding for these activities. Additionally, many club members lack comprehensive training in vocal music and folk singing knowledge. To address these problems, Ngoc said that the education sector will collaborate with cultural agencies to implement specific measures to further promote Vi-Giang folk songs and invite artists to join in club development./.