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Three decades of keeping the flame of Xẩm (a traditional Vietnamese folk music genre) alive.
Artist Mai Tuyet Hoa has dedicated nearly 30 years to the art of Xam (a traditional Vietnamese folk singing style), from her early days passionately learning the two-stringed fiddle to becoming one of the leading inheritors of this traditional art form. Throughout this journey, she has performed, diligently collected, restored, and taught Xam, contributing to the revival of a folk music genre that was once on the verge of extinction. She studied directly with the late Xam artist Ha Thi Cau – dubbed a “living human treasure” – and has since inspired countless generations of Xam enthusiasts.
Artist Mai Tuyet Hoa with musician Kien Ninh and musician Nguyen Quang Long at the album launch event.
The musical product marking that journey is the album "Xẩm in Life Vol. 2," released in early February 2026. The album includes 9 songs, combining traditional Xẩm with folk poetry and new works composed by musician Nguyen Quang Long, suited to her voice and style. Among them, "Drifting Water Hyacinths" is the only traditional Xẩm song included as a tribute to the late artist Ha Thi Cau, while also connecting traditional Xẩm with contemporary life. Other songs explore familiar themes in life, conveying humanistic messages such as gratitude to parents, reminders to stay away from social vices, and portraying the beloved image of Hanoi.
It is this perseverance that has helped Xẩm not only stand firm but also become increasingly well-known among young people. After numerous festivals and the formation and maintenance of Xẩm singing clubs throughout the country, this art form demonstrates its ability to adapt and maintain its presence in contemporary cultural life.
A new direction for "xẩm (a type of Vietnamese folk singing) in the modern world"
Besides preserving traditional elements, Mai Tuyet Hoa has broadened her approach to Xam (a Vietnamese folk singing style) through recent musical projects. In this new album, she chooses to combine traditional and modern Xam styles, allowing listeners to both appreciate the continuous flow of Xam through different periods and see the creativity in its expression. Composer Nguyen Quang Long has incorporated traditional Xam singing styles, such as the "sai" melody once used by ancient artists, and explored them in modern works like "Ghen" (Jealousy) and "Tranh xa toi nan" (Avoid Evil), creating a familiar yet fresh sound for listeners.
People's Artist Thanh Ngoan and Mai Tuyet Hoa performed a duet of the Xam folk song "One quan is six hundred dong".
In the album, traditional Xẩm melodies are arranged alongside new compositions, reflecting different aspects of contemporary life. The artist stated that each piece was selected based on its storytelling ability and ability to convey emotion, rather than focusing on form or listenability. “In this album, I chose to interweave both traditional and contemporary Xẩm, hoping that listeners can find a connection to the roots of traditional Xẩm, thereby spreading the spirit of Xẩm in contemporary life. I hope to bring the public a complete, fresh, and emotionally rich experience with Xẩm,” she shared.
In newer Xẩm performances, listeners can still feel the essence of life and the streets, but with a more restrained tone. The storytelling avoids melodrama, reflecting life in a relatable way, sometimes humorous, sometimes contemplative, but always aiming for humanistic values. This approach makes Xẩm more accessible to modern audiences, especially young people.
Artist Mai Tuyet Hoa performs Xam (a traditional Vietnamese folk singing style) with her son, bamboo flute artist Nam Khanh.
Another highlight is the participation of her son, young bamboo flute artist Nam Khánh, in the song "Stay Away From Vice." This collaboration suggests a spirit of continuity between generations, as xẩm (a traditional Vietnamese folk music genre) is embraced by young people in a new way while still retaining its traditional core. Sharing more about this collaboration, Mai Tuyết Hoa said she was initially hesitant about inviting her son to participate in the album, as xẩm is not easily accessible to contemporary musical tastes. However, in the recording studio, Nam Khánh showed a youthful and individualistic way of performing while still preserving the spirit of xẩm, creating a memorable experience for the female artist. Through her newly released album, Mai Tuyết Hoa continues her journey of bringing xẩm closer to contemporary life, while also fostering a connection between contemporary audiences and generations of artists.
