Vietnamese agencies, including the National Institute of Music, Folk Arts Association of VN and VN Musicians’ Association, are aiming to ally with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports to propose to UNESCO to recognise dan bau, the nation’s monochord zither, as a world heritage.

The campaign was announced by the Chairman of the Folk Arts Association of VN, To Ngoc Thanh in a workshop on dan bau and its role in VN culture held by National Institute of Music yesterday.

The workshop drew researchers, artists and scholars including artist Thanh Tam, Nguyen Tien, who have significantly contributed to promote đàn bầu, Head of National Institute of Music, Nguyen Binh Dinh, artist Bui Le Chi, Hoang Anh Tu and Nguyen Thuy Loan.

The workshop focused on the history, development the role of dan bau in Vietnamese culture, and it discussed the path to preserving the instrument.

“If we were to choose an instrument to represent Việt Nam’s traditional music, to introduce and promote VN an its people, đàn bầu would definitely be the one,” said Binh Dinh.

“Dan bau is the most unique instrument which represents Vietnamese people’s language and soul,” said artist Nguyen Tien.

History

Though it is hard to clarify the exact time when đàn bầu was created, most scholars agree that it is an indigenous instrument of VN and was used before 19th century, said Head of National Institute of Music, Nguyen Binh Dinh.

Nguyễn dynasty historians noted in Dai nam thuc luc, (The true record of VN history) that dan bau was born in 18th century and Ton That Duc, a scholar who was keen on learning and excellent at literature and music created this instrument, said Dang Hoanh Loan.

In Việt Nam, there also exist many legends associated with the birth of đàn bầu. According to these legends, đàn bầu were often given to warmhearted yet overworked people by Buddha so that they could make ends meet from playing this instrument. These people then spread the popularity through teaching and performance, artist Thanh Tam said.

“This instrument was very close to life of ordinary people. It initially accompanied buskers in singing to make ends meet in the markets of rural villages and urban areas,” said Thanh Tam.

Dan bau has experienced ups and downs of history--as well as reforms over different periods--but it has become one of the most unique instruments in VN.

“Among traditional instruments of Việt Nam, đàn bầu is the one that attracts the most interest from composers and researchers. This can be proved by the dominant number of works composed inclusively for đàn bầu, the number and the scope of studies on đàn bầu,” said Dinh.

In addition, dan bau performance is among the must-haves for traditional art events for international audiences and diplomats as well as big events held domestically, said Dinh.

In wars against France and America, dan bau and sao truc (bamboo flute) performance were also the favourites for soldiers.

“From 1970s to early 1990s, đàn bầu was performed in many countries in Europe, Africa and Americas. The performing artists often said the international audience understood more about VN and its people thanks to dan bau. It has been considered as a representative and symbol of VN culture,” said Dinh.

Dan bau played an important place in VN music in 1990s as there was an increasing number of people pursuing this instrument and Vietnamese artists granted awards like artists Nguyen Tien, Thanh Tam, Hoang Anh Tu, Bui Le Chi, Hoang Xuan Binh and Phan Kim Thanh, said Thanh Tam.

Many well-known composers also composed beautiful masterpieces for dan bau, including composer Huy Thuc, Xuan Khai, Duc Nhuan and Ngo Quoc Tinh, said Thanh Tam.

VN needs to carry out some urgent solutions to protect and promote the values of cultural heritages including đàn bầu, said Dinh.

Relevant agencies need to co-ordinate a proposal for UNESCO recognition for đàn bầu to assert cultural sovereignty for this instrument, said To Ngoc Thanh.

Bui Le Chi recommended that training talents in arts field must start from an early age. In addition, initiatives like granting awards or financial support to encourage artists and teachers to engage more in composing work for đàn bầu are essential. 

VNS