(VOVworld) - Visitors to Hoi An not only have the chance to explore the ancient town but can also listen to folk music typical of the central province of Quang Nam. On a trip to Hoi An, John Haward, the owner of a Dutch tourist company, said that it’s very interesting going to folk music concerts in Hoi An, whether they are free or not. The uniqueness of the shows lies in their simplicity, as each street corner can become a stage. Lan Anh reports…

Visitors enjoy bai choi singing in Hoi An

Daily performances by Hoi An’s Traditional Art’s Theatre are indispensable part of any visitor’s trip to Vietnam. Since 1990, the local authorities have been gathering and training artists who can perform the region’s folk songs and dances, to attract tourists to the Ancient Town, according to Đinh Hài, Director of Quang Nam provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism:  "More and more visitors have flocked to Hoi An in recent years. As an architectural heritage, the town attracts tourists because of its many ancient houses, pagodas, Chinese assembly and meeting halls. In addition to that, folk songs and dances make the town livelier and more soulful".
Performances of ancient melodies, folk tunes, dances, and games attract not only the local residents, but also foreign and domestic tourists to the Town. In addition to festivals like “Ancient town night”, and “The Old Quarter without Vehicles”, up to 3 performances of folk songs and dances are held daily at the Hoi An Centre of Traditional Arts as well as at various tourist spots. Võ Phùng, Director of Hoi An City Centre for Culture and Sports, said: "The local authorities have set out specific measures to preserve and develop traditional forms of art from Hoi An since 1980. This aims both to save our traditional arts and also boost local tourism."
The ancient folk game of Bai Choi, thought by many to have been lost, has been revived and has become popular again among local people and visitors. Although Hoi An was not the cradle of Bai Choi, the city has made this intangible cultural heritage a mustsee event for tourists or any one visiting Hoi An. Mr. Dinh Hai told VOV: "Besides exploring the towns’ ancient architecture, tourists can enjoy folk tunes from the central region of Quang Nam, Bai Choi folk games and other old art forms which are played and held along the ancient streets. We have organized regular shows at two places in town, plus a lantern night on the 14th of every lunar month. These activities re-create the atmosphere of the Ancient Town in the early 20th century."
Visitors to Hoi An Bai Choi can listen to the drums and singing at bai choi games. Although they may not understand the games’ rules, visitors are eager to take part. For them, such folk games, dances, and songs have become an indispensable part of the ancient Town of Hoi An.

Lan Anh