Quan Ho Singing In Vietnamese Festivals

Though Quan họ originated in Bac Ninh province, it has now spread throughout northern Vietnam and continues to thrive in many areas. These traditional folk songs are now featured prominently in spring festivals, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.

Spring Festivals and Quan Họ

Quan họ folk songs were created by the Kinh people living in 49 Quan Họ villages of Kinh Bắc and surrounding areas. The Vietnamese New Year is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar, and in the provinces of the Red River Delta, the first and second months of the lunar year are not only a time of rest after the harvest but also periods filled with joyful spring festivals.

Quan Họ Singing at the Lim Festival

Spring festivals serve as occasions for singers from one village to invite singers from other villages to partake in New Year celebrations, meet friends, and sing Quan họ folk songs. Similar to other rural communities, Quan họ festivals consist of two main components: religious rituals and social gatherings.

Each village, along with its unique customs and economic developments, worships its own tutelary deity, contributing to the distinct cultural characteristics of the festivities. The festival typically begins with a religious ceremony honoring the tutelary deity, where villagers pray for good fortune, plentiful crops, and a year filled with happiness. The second half of the festival includes various traditional games and artistic performances, with Quan họ folk songs playing an indispensable role.

Quan Họ in the Community Gathering

The organization of welcoming parties and singing competitions follows a structured protocol. On the afternoon before the festival, representatives from the host village visit the inviting village to extend their greetings. On the first day of the celebration, members of the host village wait at the village gate to greet their guests, leading them to the communal house and pagoda, where they perform religious rituals and sing the inaugural songs. Following this, everyone gathers to sing Quan họ folk songs through the night, culminating in a celebratory meal at midnight.

The festival continues the next day as male and female singers from the two villages visit each other’s homes and enjoy the refreshing spring atmosphere. This is an ideal time for participants to foster new friendships and deepen their understanding of one another.

On the final day, the hosts bid farewell to their guests at the village gate, often expressing their sentiments through poignant songs about love and the sorrow of parting. Although spring festivals last only a few days, the resonant spirit of tenderness, elegance, and meaningful melodies linger throughout the entire year.

In contemporary times, singers not only perform Quan họ folk songs at their village festivals but also travel to other provinces and major cities to showcase their art, with the goal of sharing Quan họ with both Vietnamese citizens and international audiences.