In an era of fast audiovisual consumption, where social media strongly shapes how audiences engage with the arts, cai luong has become “slower” than the pace of life. A long vong co (southern folk melody) passage, a scene that requires the audience to listen and feel, can be seen as difficult to access. 

So, rejuvenation of the art form has become a requirement. However, that does not mean chasing short-term trends. If renewal relies on surface-level attention-grabbing elements, cai luong may attract curiosity briefly but will struggle to retain audiences in the long run. True rejuvenation must begin with a new generation of artists capable of bridging tradition and modernity.

Artist Quach Phu Thanh is one of the rare young male leads who embody many qualities: a cinematic appearance and a modern stage presence, while maintaining standards in vocal performance and vong co structure. From the image of a “cai luong hot boy” on social media to the 2024 Cai luong Academy championship, his journey suggests ways to innovate cai luong without losing its roots.

In the age of social media, Thanh does not deny the role played by digital platforms in promoting artists. However, he says the greatest “weapon” of a young performer remains real ability.

“Social media can help you become known faster, but to make audiences buy tickets and come to the theater, only genuine vocal talent, real acting, and authentic emotion can retain them,” he said.

Thanh believes that for cai luong to have a future, it must start with young people and with what is closest to them.

He proposes bringing cai luong into schools in a systematic way, rather than limiting it to occasional extracurricular performances. At secondary schools, short and accessible excerpts can be integrated into music classes or experiential activities. At the university level, cai luong clubs, workshops with artists, and discounted theater tickets for students could be introduced.

More importantly, there must be substantive support policies for young artists: training scholarships, opportunities to participate in professional productions, and a clear career path so that young people have the confidence to pursue cai luong long term.

Solutions

When discussing rejuvenation, people often start with theory: renewing scripts, leveraging social media, reaching Gen Z. But sometimes the answer lies in a specific individual with a convincing artistic journey. 

Nguyen Tan Dat, the winner of the Jury Prize at the 20th Golden Bell of vong co awards (2025), is one such example.

In Tan Dat, there is no “noisy innovation.” He does not step onto the stage with declarations of breaking conventions, nor does he try to create shock value for attention. Instead, his foundation lies in classical repertoires, traditional plays, and rigorous training in singing, acting, and physical expression.

Tan Dat has brought cai luong beyond the traditional stage into contemporary life. His collaboration with the Sai Gon Tan Thoi lotto troupe to organize themed nights of traditional singing and cai luong has created new spaces of reception, where young audiences engage with the art form in a more open mindset.

From Tan Dat’s case, it can be seen that Gen Z is not turning away from cai luong. They just do not accept what feels artificial or forced. When a young artist lives authentically with the craft, respects its standards, yet does not confine themselves within old frameworks, their life and career choices naturally become a bridge.

Renewal

Le Hoang Nghi also represents a generation of well-trained young artists: solid vocals, strong choreography, deep acting, and a clear awareness of traditional stage structure.

He believes that today’s stage lacks audiences and empathy between the work and viewers.

“Cai luong is currently racing with other art forms and struggling to regain its place. In that journey, what may be missing is deep audience empathy for the works being created,” he said.

Hoang Nghi considers school-based theater an approach that should be maintained more seriously: shortening duration for clarity, increasing experiential elements, and integrating cai luong into learning activities so that young people no longer feel distant from it. This is a form of renewal grounded in understanding the audience, rather than chasing short-term trends.

Cai luong today does not lack young people, but it needs those with enough patience, resilience, and respect for the craft. When professional discipline is placed alongside creativity, and when academia and tradition intersect, cai luong can move forward without losing itself.

Luu Dinh Long - Xuan Phuc