In Vietnam, Cheo Tau is only performed in Tan Hoi commune in the Dan Phuong district of Hanoi. Traditionally, people in Thuong Hoi, Thuy Hoi, Vinh Ky and Phan Long villages select a year with moderate weather and a bumper crop in which to hold a festival dedicated to General Van Di Thanh who defeated the Chinese Ming invaders in the 15^th century. After the General died in 1416, local people performed their traditional folk songs to pay tribute to him and the singing festival was born. The origins of the festival and Cheo Tau boat rowing songs in Tan Hoi, also known as Tong Goi remain an interesting topic for researchers. Dao Ha, a researcher with Hanoi’s Folk Culture Association says: "There are three legends about the origin of Cheo Tau in Tan Hoi but we are unclear which one is the most accurate. The first legend says Cheo Tau originated in the Trung sisters period. According to another legend, it came from the military negotiations between Ly Phat Tu and Trieu Quang Phuc. Some people say Tong Goi locals dedicated Cheo Tau to their Village Genie- General Van Di Thanh. This art is unique. it can only be found in Tong Goi and has been performed by locals for hundreds of years".

According to tradition, the Cheo Tau singing festival begins on the full-moon day and ends on the 21^st day of the first lunar month. During the 7 days and nights, people from different villages take turn singing from dawn to dusk. The festival begins with a ritual ceremony held in Voi Phuc temple followed by a procession to the village communal house. Local people make giant wooden elephants and ships with wheels to transport them. Most of the festival participants are beautiful women. The older ones act as the ship’s captain while the younger ones, aged 13 to 16 are the ship’s crew. These people and the elephant tamer sing songs in praise of the village genie Tong Goi Van Di Thanh. Solemn songs are sung during the ceremony while soft duets are performed at night. The festival also features a chess competition, a rice cooking contest and swinging games. According to researchers, the first official Cheo Tau festival was organized in 1683. Because it lasted for several days and involved more than 200 singers, the festival was only held every 25 years. The festival was interrupted in 1922, but 1998 when the Voi Phuc temple and Van Son tomb were recognized as historical relics, the festival resumed on an annual basis, but on a smaller scale. Local people in Tong Goi, especially the members of the Cheo Tau Singing Club, contributed greatly to restoring the festival. Ngo Thi Thu, Head of the Club says: "We joined with culture researchers to visit every house to record folk tunes sung by elderly people. We have just learnt some of the songs performed at the festival. This is only part of the research on this art".

The Cheo Tau Singing Club, founded in 1998 has 50 members between the ages of 18 and 20. The club has conducted Cheo Tau classes, which have been popular with kindergarten teachers and students. With support from the local authorities, the club performs folk tunes every night. To date, the club has introduced Cheo Tau folk singing to about 1,000 children and has completed teaching 30 tunes.

To Tuan