A number of singers and lecturers in Hanoi have completed a traditional singing training course at the Military University of Culture and Arts in an effort to promote traditional culture and enrich cultural activities in the capital.

The 10-day course, led by People's Artist Thanh Ngoan, was attended by famous singers and lecturers from the university, including To Hoa, Luong Nguyet Anh, Meritorious Artist Huong Giang, and Meritorious Artist Hong Hanh.

They learned Hanoi's popular music such as xam (blind busker music), ca tru (ceremonial music), hat van (spiritual music) and cheo (traditional operetta).

Singers perform cheo at the closing ceremony of the course. Photos: the Military University of Culture and Arts

"The folk song training helps the professors at the Military University of Culture and Arts learn more about folk music and improves their skills in performing Vietnamese folk music. In this way, they will also pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm for traditional singing to their students," said People's Artist Thanh Ngoan.

The trainees have mastered the essential musical skills to compose original musical works, as well as the professional and inspiring performance of folk songs.

The course is also helpful for teachers' research, enabling them to creatively fuse traditional songs with contemporary musical genres while preserving the intrinsic qualities of each. They can support the city's cultural activities and diversify Vietnamese traditional arts.

People's Artist Thanh Ngoan, Director of Vietnam Cheo Theater speaks at the closing ceremony of the training course.

By sharing experiences, they will be able to bring traditional music from various regions to the national music industry and further promote and disseminate traditional music.

Colonel Vu Ho Tung, Vice President of the Military University of Culture and Arts, said that the training course help famous lecturers and singers, who were trained in Russia, China and other countries, perform folk songs emotionally.

As each type of traditional music has its own cultural space, ways of performance, and dance accompaniments, the course enables learners to discover their potential in folk singing, contributing to the preservation of Vietnam's traditional arts and folklore, he noted.