Quan Ho Folk Singing - Pure Local Art

Quan Ho, a traditional Vietnamese singing style, originates from a time when performances were profoundly personal, blurring the lines between "performers" and "audiences." In its early form, there was a distinct absence of commercialization; the concepts of "money" or "revenue" were nonexistent in the world of Quan Ho.

Quan Ho in the Past - Endless Plays

Initially, "Quan Họ" was regarded primarily as a cultural gathering where individuals from Bac Ninh and surrounding regions convened to share their passion for singing and enjoy each other's company. These gatherings were more about friendship and community than performance; people "played" Quan Họ to connect with others who shared their love for traditional art, creating a vibrant communal atmosphere.

Quan Ho Revived at a Local Village Event

In earlier times, Quan Ho was typically featured during community celebrations, festivals, and ceremonies. Singers and audiences alike could only enjoy this unique art form during designated occasions. During these moments, Quan Ho singers would gather, performing and sharing songs until they were exhausted, only to return to their daily lives with fond memories of their musical encounters. These gatherings provided a necessary escape, allowing people to unwind and immerse themselves in the soothing melodies of Quan Ho.

One intriguing aspect of Quan Ho from the past was the belief that couples who sang together were destined to remain partners in song for life, solidifying a deep artistic bond between them.

Quan Ho Today: Where Professionalism Meets Commercialism

In the decades following interruptions by war and reconstruction, Quan Ho has experienced a revival, particularly among the Kinh Bắc people. It has emerged in a more polished form, which, while welcomed by many art enthusiasts, has left some older community members longing for the simpler, more traditional expressions of their heritage. Today, Quan Ho has evolved, often viewed as less authentic than it once was.

The modern iteration of Quan Ho began taking shape with the establishment of the Bac Ninh Folk Group of Quan Ho in 1969. This development marked a turning point for the art form, as it adopted a more professional and commercialized approach, shifting away from its original purpose of informal, communal expression. Consequently, Quan Ho became more of a polished performance rather than a joyful pastime.

Quan Ho Performance

Presently, Quan Ho can be found everywhere, every day, diverging from its historic roots of being confined to special occasions. Tourists visiting Bac Ninh can hear Quan Ho singers for a nominal fee, and enthusiasts worldwide can access recordings or streams of the art form online at any time. While this accessibility is positive news, it also comes with challenges.

Today's Quan Ho singers are typically trained performers rather than purely amateur enthusiasts. They engage in choreographed performances, focusing on polished gestures and emotional expression suitable for staged environments, sometimes lacking the deep personal connection that characterized earlier performances. This shift indicates a fading of the intricate relationships that once existed among Quan Ho singers.

Nevertheless, in Bac Ninh, the heartland of Quan Ho, there remains a dedicated group of older singers and passionate young individuals striving to preserve the essence of the original art. They form clubs to share knowledge, rehearse traditional rhythms, and train younger generations in the art of singing Quan Ho. More importantly, they aim to instill the spirit of traditional Quan Ho in the younger populace, fostering hope for a renaissance of the art form in the near future.