Lifelong passion for Quan ho

In an afternoon of the final days of the year, artist Chu Bao Que spent time sharing us stories about his career, life and profound bond with quan ho in the ancestral house of Chu family at Dong residential group, Tu Lan ward.

Artist Chu Bao Que performs quan ho folk songs.

Born in 1967 in a poor family, the childhood of artist Chu Bao Que was shaped by rice fields and rivers, village communal houses, ancient pagodas and melodies of folk songs.

Although his family did not support him to pursue singing career when their life faced a lot of difficulties, the passion for traditional art of the little boy Que never faded away.

Endowed with natural talent, the young man’s voice became increasingly deep and mellow through years of study imbued with warmth and humanity. Rice fields, riverbanks and village courtyards were his earliest ‘stages’, and Que’s voice gradually gained wider recognition.

With his deep love for the folk songs, the young man Chu Bao Que became an actor of Ha Bac Art Troupe, then head of Vietnam -UESCO Folk Art Troupe, who organized and directed many big art events.

In line with Quan ho, he can perform many other art genres including spoken theatre, cheo, xam singing, chau van as well as contemporary music.

Persistently preserving and spreading heritage

The 2,700-page book compiled by artist Chu Bao Que to serve the preservation of Quan ho heritage.

In current context when traditional cultural values face risk of fading, artist Chu Bao Que has always kept in mind how to preserve and spread values of ancient melodies for next generation so that the heritage will never be forgotten.

“I have brought ancient quan ho on big stages to widely introduce this art to the public while inspiring and encouraging young artists by showing them the position and strong vitality of folk arts in current life”, told him.

Artist Chu Bao Que has organized, staged and performed a number of Vietnamese traditional folkart programmes in many countries, quietly building bridges between the past and the present and connecting the homeland with friends worldwide.

He is among the pioneers introducing unaccompanied ancient quan họ singing to the world, contributing to affirming the original value of Bac Ninh’s cultural heritage.

Besides, artist Chu Bao Que has tirelessly dedicated to researching, collecting, composing and teaching ancient quan ho melodies, cheo and many other genres of Vietnamese folk arts.

He has documented and systematized materials and melodies to compile valuable works, including the three-volume book “Ancient Quan họ folk songs”, comprising more than 2,700 pages that introduce and guide how to sing thousands of old melodies, an important document serving the preservation and practice of the heritage.

Chu Bao Que is not only a talented artist, but he is also a man “fuelling” the love for traditional arts. Many generations of his students have achieved success and continued preserving and promoting the heritages of the nation.

Artist Chu Bao Que has been honoured by Prime Minister, ministries, central agencies, provinces and Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations for his great efforts and dedication to folk arts.

Remarkably, he was recognized by the World Records University (WRU) as a world record holder for being the “artist who composes, directs, performs and teaches traditional unaccompanied quan ho folk songs and Vietnamese cheo.”

Besides, he was awarded the “Golden disc of dedication,” by the International Federation of Inventor Associations. He was conferred the honorary titles of Professor and Doctor by WRU in recognition of his contributions to the preservation, development and promotion of Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritages to the world.

He is currently president of the Policy and Development Advisory Council and Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations.

Since 2025, in his role as Vietnam–India Cultural Ambassador, he has actively carried out numerous activities to promote, introduce and connect cultural values, thereby honoring distinctive cultural heritages and tightening the friendship between the two countries.

He has become a source of inspiration for both domestic and international authors to produce interesting books and films promoting traditional arts, honouring artisans and artists who tirelessly preserve cultural heritages for next generations.

Bac Ninh preserves Quan Ho folk singing through digital transformation and tourism push

BAC NINH – Kinh Bac ward has recently issued a plan to preserve and promote the heritage value of Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk singing, further implementing Vietnam’s commitments to UNESCO in a new context shaped by digital transformation and tourism development.

Quan Ho folk singing performed on boats to mark Party congress

BAC NINH - The Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Singing Theatre has staged a traditional Quan Ho folk singing performance on boats at Vua Ba Lake in Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh city, in activities marking the 14th National Party Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

A lifetime devoted to quan ho

From the age of six, Nguyen Thi Them accompanied her mother to singing sessions, so Quan ho singing has become an indispensable part of the life of this artisan who was born in Bac Ninh Province in 1959. She is regarded as a nucleus in preserving and safeguarding many ancient and complex quan ho melodies and has successfully passed them on to successive younger generations.

 

Bac Ninh turns cultural essence of Quan Ho folk singing into unique tourism product

BAC NINH - Sixteen years after being recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Quan Ho folk singing — the signature art form of Bac Ninh province — has evolved from a traditional cultural expression into a captivating tourism experience that attracts visitors from across Vietnam and beyond. 

Captivating journey from Hanoi Train to the land of Quan ho

BAC NINH - The cultural tourist train “Hanoi Five Gates – The Hanoi Train” has officially launched the Thang Long – Kinh Bac route, offering a unique journey connecting the millennia-old capital with Bac Ninh, a land rich in traditions. The tour gives travelers memorable moments on the rails while exploring the distinctive culture of Quan ho villages.