“Xoan Singing” introduced to foreign diplomats

A performance of “Xoan Singing” was held for ambassadors and cultural counsellors from 40 embassies in Hanoi on October 15 to acquaint them with the candidate for world cultural heritage title.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, who is also Head of the Vietnam National UNESCO Commission, said the traditional folk singing of the northern midland province of Phu Tho will be tabled at the November conference of UNESCO for consideration to be recognised as intangible world cultural heritage of humanities.
“Xoan Singing”, known as Hat Xoan in Vietnamese, is believed to have been created for more than 500 years. It has some similarities with the lullaby. Many of the songs are about love, but it is also a kind of folk music that praises a village genie.
There are many forms of “Hat Xoan”: duet, group singing accompanied by several kinds of dances.
Xoan festivals are often held in spring in village temples. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, the artists often sing it at the Hung Kings Temple festival.