Arts of Vietnam

Vietnamese folk songs and theater are rich in shapes and melodies across the country. Here are some of the best known genres:

Nha Nhac - Imperial Court Music


It is an integral part of the rituals of the imperial court. This includes a wide range of musicians and dancers, dressed in extravagant costumes.

Ca tru


This ancient form of chamber music from the imperial court was gradually associated with a kind of entertainment where talented women performed in front of rich and powerful men, scholars and bureaucrats. This genre was rejected in the 20th century as assimilated to prostitution. Recently recognized since 2005, UNESCO honors Ca tru as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

Mua roi nuoc - Puppets on the water


Water puppets are a popular art in the Red River Delta. Born in the 10th century, this theater was probably originally part of the rites of invocation of rain among rice farmers in flooded land, before becoming a entertainment. Very popular in the northern region, a hobby among peasants, the water puppet has been recognized as an important element of Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Song Quan ho


Quan ho originates in the province of Bac Ninh. It comes from the classic love songs of young couples. This song was inscribed in 2009 by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Song Bai choi


Traditional art of the Center, Bai Choi is a very varied artistic form that combines music, poetry, theater, painting and literature. Important form of culture and entertainment in the village community, it tells stories about customs, compassion and love of the village, the country.

Mua Cham - Cham Dance


The Cham dance is an important element in the cultural and spiritual life of the Cham ethnic groups, the descendants of the ancient Champa kingdom. Practiced during festivals, this dance is an opportunity for the Cham to express their gratitude to their kings and to those who have made a significant contribution to the construction of the country.

Cong Chieng - Gong Music


Gong music is a traditional art whose origin is the Tay Nguyen Highlands region. Used in community activities of ethnic minorities, the gong is an instrument composed of a mixture of gold, bronze and silver. The sound of the gong is the way to communicate with the deities.