Despite its ups and downs, the Bài Chòi folk song tradition has always been preserved and passed down by passionate and dedicated artisans. These are the people who are working tirelessly to maintain the "flame" of this intangible cultural heritage in the cradle of Bài Chòi in Central Vietnam.
The Bài Chòi Club of Mộ Đức district has won many top prizes at various folk cultural and artistic competitions and performances.
Enchanted by folk songs
Ms. Pham Thi Luong (Duc Chanh commune, Mo Duc district, Quang Ngai province) has been involved with the Bai Choi folk art for over 40 years. As the head of the Bai Choi Club in Mo Duc district, she has spent many years using her sweet singing to serve the community and teach the younger generation.
Born into a farming family, spending her days working in the fields, Ms. Luong nevertheless had a burning passion for the art of Bài Chòi (a traditional Vietnamese folk game). She said: “I had an aunt who performed opera and theater for the soldiers of Military Region V. After liberation, she returned and opened classes to teach Tuồng (classical Vietnamese opera), opera, and Bài Chòi to young people. I was only 15 years old at the time, but the more I listened, the more I liked it, and that's how my passion began…”
Due to difficult living conditions, Ms. Luong often considered giving up her folk singing career. But fate kept her connected, and she continued collecting and composing Bài Chòi melodies. She was also one of the active participants in building the dossier submitted to UNESCO for recognition of Central Vietnam's Bài Chòi art as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, for which she received a Certificate of Commendation from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ngai province.
Since 2018, Ms. Luong was trusted and elected as the Head of the Bai Choi Club in Mo Duc District. However, due to difficult family circumstances, she had to stop to focus on economic development. Although she couldn't pursue a professional artistic career, after working to earn a living, she still passionately practices and sings to satisfy her passion.
With her deep understanding of Bài Chòi art, Ms. Lượng is also very enthusiastic about serving the people in her village and surrounding areas. For over 40 years, during community gatherings and art performances, Ms. Lượng has always volunteered to contribute with her songs. Since she took on the role of Head of the Bài Chòi Club in Mộ Đức district, Bài Chòi singing activities in the locality have become increasingly vibrant, contributing to the development of the local cultural and artistic movement and promoting the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State. From this, she has had the opportunity to pass on her skills and knowledge of the folk art of Bài Chòi to many people.
Mr. Vo Minh Hieu (Mo Duc Bài Chòi Club) said that although the club members have different ages and jobs, they all share a passion for singing. Thanks to the encouragement from Ms. Luong, everyone tries to arrange their personal schedules to participate in rehearsals and performances.
“I’ve loved Bài Chòi since I was a child. The sweet, smooth melodies, imbued with love for my homeland and country, mixed with a touch of humor, bring peace and comfort to the listener’s soul. When the district established the Bài Chòi Club, I registered to join hoping to learn from the seniors and improve my singing,” Mr. Hieu said.
Bài Chòi performances are held for tourists.
Promoting the value of heritage in conjunction with tourism.
Mo Duc District has set a direction to develop the art of Bai Choi folk singing and playing into a tourism product. The district has chosen to build a Bai Choi performance venue at the Pham Van Dong Memorial Area (Duc Tan commune); and has allocated funds to open classes to teach this unique art form. Ms. Vo Thi Minh Quyen, from the Mo Duc District Communication - Culture - Sports Center, said that since 2023, Ms. Pham Thi Luong has been ill, causing her health to decline. However, she remains actively involved in local cultural and artistic activities and movements. She also enthusiastically teaches Bai Choi to those passionate about the art form, helping to preserve and promote this traditional art. In recent years, Mo Duc has won many high awards at cultural and artistic competitions and festivals in Quang Ngai province, and Ms. Luong has made a significant contribution to these achievements.
Her everyday life is simple, but whenever she hums a song or steps onto the stage, Ms. Luong becomes vibrant and full of passion. Throughout her long journey of nurturing and preserving traditional art, she has performed and inspired many people, especially the younger generation. She also collects, edits, and composes new lyrics based on folk melodies to create songs or folk song medleys.
"I only hope I have enough health to continue sharing the experience and knowledge I've accumulated throughout my life with my students, hoping that young people will absorb, preserve, and maximize the artistic value of Bài Chòi of our nation," Ms. Lượng expressed.
According to Nguyen Tien Dung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai province, Quang Ngai is implementing a project to preserve and promote the art of Bai Choi. The province is focusing on developing Bai Choi singing teams, groups, and clubs in localities, linking this art form with tourism activities. Introducing Bai Choi into tourism offerings is necessary to diversify tourism products and contribute to the socio-economic development of the locality.
Source: https://baophutho.vn/quang-ngai-giu-lua-di-san-dan-ca-bai-choi-215416.htm
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