Ha Tinh to Host Ca Tru Festival in November

Ca Tru is an ancient genre of chamber music. In 2009, it was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. Ca Tru is believed to have originated in the northern Vietnam and dates back to the 11th century though it was not until the 15th century when this genre became wide spread all around Northern Vietnam. Ca Tru features female vocalists and for a larger part of its history was considered a geisha-like type of entertainment.

While in the 20th century the art of ca tru was gradually fading away, after its recognition as an intangible heritage by UNESCO the revival provess started resulting in creation of dozens of ca tru clubs around the country and hundreds of ca tru musicians masterng the art. During the festival, the audience will be offered performances by ca tru clubs from 15 provinces country-wide.

To get to the city of Ha Tinh where the festival will take place, hop onto a bus from Vinh 50 km north. There is neither an airport nor a railway station in Ha Tinh, the closest and most convenient ones located in Vinh. Ha Tinh sits 340 km south of Hanoi and almost the same distance north of the imperial city of Hue.

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