In the electronic music background, singer Ha Myo passionately sang the lyrics of xam (blind busketers' singing). Her traditional costume is eye-catching, the melody is vibrant, and the lyrics are rich in images. Ha Myo made the audience unable to take their eyes off her performances.

Ha Myo (real name Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha) has a series of songs that blend rap and EDM with traditional music genres such as xam (the music of blind wanderers), xoan (the spring music of Phu Tho Province, UNESO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage), and Muong folk singing, starting with the first song that made her famous, Xam Ha Noi.

Xam Ha Noi earns her acclamation

Ha's father used to take her to musical performances by amateur singers in the Ba Vi District on the outskirts of Hanoi when she was a young girl. Although he enjoys music, he does not want Ha to pursue a career as a performer because it is considered a demanding job with variable pay. Her parents want her to work as a teacher.

Singer Ha Myo brings modern and youthful colors to traditional music. Photos courtesy of the singer

Ha, however, decided to take the Military University of Culture and Arts entrance exam to follow her singing dream. Before taking the test, she didn't even know how to play the piano or listen to the sound and rhythm. Her stunning voice and steadfast commitment to making music her life's work may have persuaded the judges.

With Meritorious Artist Van Ty, Ha had the opportunity to learn about ca tru (ceremonial singing), quan ho (love duets), cheo (traditional opera), and xam in 2019.

"The more I learned, the more I regretted the limited opportunities for traditional music to appeal to young listeners. I have loved the old melodies since those days," Ha said. 

Ha competed in the Hanoi Best Singing Voice Contest in 2020 and performed pop tracks, which are her specialty. Ha tried something new in the final round to leave a stronger impression on the judges and spectators.

With the song, Ha took home both the Second Prize and the Best Song About Hanoi Award at the Hanoi Best Singing Voice Competition.

Since then, I have experienced a difficult-to-explain love affair with xam. It appears that Ha Myo and xam were fortunate to meet and get along. I can be myself with xam," Ha said.

Bring traditional culture to the world

Ha decided to revive traditional music and went down this road to build her identity and career.  

However, she was apprehensive because breaking the rules of a traditional music genre could easily lead to criticism. She could face a boycott, and her subsequent products would also face prejudice if the public or the entertainment industry were unsatisfied.

Ha Myo (sixth from left) receives the title Vietnam Outstanding Young Face 2022

Ha concluded, "No matter the praise or criticism, it still makes me proud to push myself to try new things.

She then ventures beyond the music of blind buskers. She has also been trying to experiment with other conventional genres.

In addition to Xam Ha Noi, the singer has released other works that have caught the public's interest, including Tro choi i a troi cho (based on xoan singing), Xam xuan xanh, and Dap Nang Khot. (Muong folk songs). Ha Myo and her husband, The Phuong VBK, consistently combine folk music and electronic music in these tracks to create original and witty works suitable for young audiences.

She told The Hanoi Times, "After the experiment with buskers' music, I treasured the idea of fusing folk with contemporary music to inspire national pride in young music enthusiasts and international friends.

As a singer, it takes years of struggle to forge their path and establish their unique identity in the music industry. Ha has found it, so there is no reason not to move forward.

She then became a youthful singer adept at utilizing and reviving traditional art. She has some specialists, including musician Nguyen Quang Long, producer The Phuong VBK, and her teacher Van Ty. They help Ha preserve traditional values while still using ancient melodies as the basis for musical creations.

To successfully combine different musical genres, one must first thoroughly grasp each genre's distinctive qualities. Then, one must select the most distinctive elements of each genre before blending them to avoid loss of identity or confusion.

Ha is currently employed by the Vietnam Music and Dance Theater. Cultural exchange programs offer her many opportunities to introduce indigenous music to a global audience.

Xam Ha Noi brings Ha Myo an award for the best song about Hanoi and the Second Prize at the Hanoi Best Singing Voice Contest

In the future, she hopes to make breakthroughs in communication with the help of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other organizations to promote folk singing internationally.

"YouTube is a great platform to promote my songs. Through this medium, I have seen a lot of foreign comments about traditional Vietnamese music. Ha Myo's official YouTube channel hosts all my songs. Through social media, I hope my songs will also have a chance to be heard by audiences abroad," she said.

Ha Myo, a singer, has been recognized as "Hanoi Outstanding Young Face 2022", "Vietnamese Promising Young Face 2021" and “Vietnamese Outstanding Young Face 2022”for her love and dedication to traditional Vietnamese culture.

Nguyen Quang Long, a musician and researcher, said this about Ha Myo: "Ha Myo has a desire to produce more works that combine traditional and modern elements.