Popular since the 15th century, ca tru in Bac Ninh has endured through generations, closely associated with festivals, customs, beliefs, literature, music and the spiritual life of local people.

Members of the Nhu Nguyet Ca tru Club perform to serve visitors at Tho Ha Communal House in Van Ha ward.

Hiep Hoa is a cradle of ca tru in the northern region, once home to numerous ca tru guilds, female singers and instrumentalists.

During spring festivals, the sounds of communal-house singing, competition singing and ritual performances echoed through villages, creating an elegant performance space steeped in traditional culture.

After nearly 20 years of training her voice and clappers, Ngo Thi Thanh, a female singer and member of the Hiep Hoa Ca Tru Club, said she remains deeply attached to the melodies and rhythms wherever she is and whatever she does.

Notably, the commitment to preserving and promoting ca tru heritage extends beyond enthusiasts to become a shared aspiration of the local community.

In Thuong Thon village, Yen Phong commune, local residents and ca tru enthusiasts have spent nearly two decades restoring and maintaining performances, practicing and passing the art on to younger generations so that the sounds of ca tru can continue to resonate.

The Thuong Thon Ca Tru Club now has more than 30 regular members aged between 10 and 90.

Although she is now over 80, artisan Dao Thi Xuyen remains devoted to practicing her breathing and singing techniques and passing them on to the next generation.

She holds firmly to the belief: “As long as I breathe, I will keep learning; whatever I know, I will pass on. My greatest wish is for the precious heritage of the homeland and nation to be preserved for generations to come.”

Inspired by the aspirations of those who came before them, young ca tru performers are gradually carrying on the tradition. Dao Xuan My, head of the Thuong Thon Ca tru Club, said the club has trained more than 10 young female ca tru singers.

The children begin by learning the most basic foundational skills, including playing the clappers, breathing techniques, voice training and performing several simple melodies.

Under the guidance of artisans and senior practitioners, they are gradually discovering the beauty of ca tru heritage.

In recent times, at the World Cultural Heritage site of Bo Da Pagoda in Van Ha Ward, Nhu Nguyet Ca tru Guild has maintained regular performances, training and practice sessions.

Female ca tru singers and instrumentalists from the Hiep Hoa Ca tru Club perform at Lo Hanh Communal House.

More than 20 members, ranging in age from 10 to 60, gather to practice breathing and vocal techniques and hone their performance skills, creating an environment for ca tru enthusiasts to continue pursuing their passion for the heritage.

Alongside maintaining regular performances, the clubs have also placed greater emphasis on improving professional expertise.

They regularly invite artisans, artists and lecturers specialising in traditional music, including musicians from the Vietnam National Institute of Music, to provide direct instruction in instrumental and vocal techniques.

This helps artisans and members gain a deeper understanding of different ca tru forms while improving their performance skills.

With Bac Ninh people’s longstanding tradition of valuing culture, attention from authorities at both provincial and grassroots levels, and the dedication of artisans and enthusiasts to keeping the tradition alive, ca tru heritage is expected to continue taking root and flourishing in everyday life, becoming a distinctive traditional cultural feature that inspires the passion and appreciation of many local people and visitors.

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