VI
EN
Xẩm (a type of Vietnamese folk singing) attracts international visitors with its simplicity.
At The Hanoi Social Club bar, many tourists were delighted by the performance of traditional Vietnamese folk singing (xẩm) combined with electronic music. Even without understanding Vietnamese, they were captivated by the rustic charm and sincerity of the storytelling in the xẩm style, along with the rhythm of the electronic music. Tourist Sergei Shilin (Canada) shared: “The combination of folk music with electronic music created a more harmonious and intimate experience, making it easier for me and my friends to connect.”
Many young Vietnamese audiences also expressed their delight with this fusion style. Some young people believe that bringing Xam (a traditional Vietnamese folk singing style) into a modern entertainment environment helps them re-evaluate the value of this heritage. "I am a big fan of traditional music, but this is the first time I've seen Xam performed in a setting like this. It feels very new and easier to accept," shared Thao Ngoc (Tay Ho ward).
The intimate performance space helps Xẩm (a traditional Vietnamese folk music genre) naturally reach young audiences and international visitors.
Sergei Shilin (second from the right) intently watches the performance of traditional Vietnamese folk music combined with electronic music.
Foreign tourists attentively watch Xẩm performances, feeling the rhythm and emotions through each folk melody.
During a recent performance at The Hanoi Social Club bar, electronic music artist Tri Minh introduced several musical works combining Vietnamese folk music (xẩm) with electronic music (ambient). He stated: "The combination of electronic music and xẩm is part of an upcoming project, with the hope that these works will become a bridge connecting traditional Vietnamese music with the international community. The project involves collaboration with artists from Vietnam and abroad, including traditional singers and tabla players from India, aiming to develop new musical creations that are easily accessible to young audiences and the international community."
Electronic music artist Tri Minh improvised with traditional Vietnamese folk music (xẩm), creating a sublime performance during the show.
Folk music touches the hearts of international audiences.
Many familiar Xẩm melodies and works were selected for performance, such as: "Don't Love Me," famous through the voices of Xẩm artists; "Before Time," a work set to a poem by Nguyễn Bính, with a strong narrative quality; and "Determined to Cultivate Oneself," a traditional Xẩm song with a clear structure, suitable for handling electronic rhythms.
While electronic music relies on rhythm, loops, and clearly structured sound movements, Xẩm (a traditional Vietnamese folk music genre) is performed with emotion, folk language, and the improvisation of the artist. Therefore, combining two completely different musical languages is not an easy task.
Artist Mai Tuyet Hoa, who has been involved with Xam singing for nearly 30 years, said that many foreign audiences love folk music, especially the simplicity of Xam singing. “There are French and American students who even come to learn Xam, even though they don’t understand Vietnamese. The melodies and rhythms touch their souls, helping them appreciate the unique beauty of Vietnamese folk music,” she shared.
Tourists enjoy listening to traditional folk songs like "Don't Love Me," "The Old Days," etc.
She also emphasized that combining Xẩm (a traditional Vietnamese folk music genre) with electronic music does not detract from the essence of the art form: "Music is a universal language. No matter how creative we are, we still find a point of 'connection' to collaborate. The performance process is almost entirely improvisational; I and the artists follow each other, creating direct interaction, allowing the music to touch the hearts of the audience naturally and intimately."
The combination of Xam (traditional Vietnamese folk music), electronic music, and tabla (a traditional Vietnamese musical genre) offers a fresh musical experience, delighting audiences both domestically and internationally.
Introducing Xẩm (a traditional Vietnamese folk music genre) into bar performances is not only a way to revitalize this folk art form but also helps create a more accessible context for foreign audiences to experience Vietnamese culture. These new spaces are opening up new avenues for Xẩm's development, as the genre appears in places frequented by international audiences, helping them better understand Vietnamese culture. This is not only an effort to innovate musically but also a way to preserve and promote heritage in a modern context, creating opportunities for folk art to reach a wider audience and become more vibrant in contemporary times.
