A photo exhibition featuring tuong or hat boi (classical drama), a Vietnamese traditional theatre originating in the 12th century, has opened on HCM City’s Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1.

Many young Vietnamese are working hard to preserve Vietnam’s traditional arts with a hope of promoting the unique values of Vietnam to a wider public, both at home and abroad.

The experimental music project, entitled “Shapes of music”, was kicked off by the Hanoi-based Dom Dom (Firefly) Experimental Music and Arts Centre on March 1.

Director Le Nguyen Dat, head of HCM City College of Theatre and Cinema's Traditional Art, is one of the many role models from across the country studying and following the ideology, morality and lifestyle of President Ho Chi Minh.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The new and privately owned Nui Nhan Tuong (classical drama) troupe has opened in Phu Yen Province’s Tuy Hoa City.  

The tuong play Vo Dong So-Bach Thu Ha (Love Story of Vo Dong So and Bach Thu Ha), a production by scriptwriter Moc Quan, will be restaged in a new version 89 years after its first release.

Viet Nam should publish books, video of tuong (classic drama), and host forums, talks, symposiums and shows at schools for students in order to preserve and promote traditional theatre that has existed for thousands of years.

VietNamNet Bridge – Though he's 99 years old, classical drama researcher and writer Mich Quang continues to spend his time helping develop traditional art forms.

 VietNamNet Bridge – "Following in one's father's footsteps, in addition to having an inborn talent, is still not enough for pursuing tuong of Hue. To pursue the art, hot and fierce passion is needed," artist La Hung said.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prolific Vietnamese-American composer PQ Phan creates modern classical music that evokes the sounds of Viet Nam.