Like verse in Chinese and many European languages, traditional Vietnamese poetry is rhymed. Rhyme, however, differs from the rhyming system in English, where identical syllables are required.
Like other forms of music, poetry in Vietnam has been adapted by different generations to reflect their own experiences and perspectives. The integration of poetry and music Che Lan Vien is a key feature of the Vietnamese culture.
Connection
Like poetry in Chinese and many European languages, Vietnamese verse is rhymed. Rhyme in Vietnamese poetics is based on both meter and a structural back rhyme (rhyming the last syllable of one line with the first syllable of the next).
Aside from lyrics, music also conveys cultural values and traditions. For instance, xam folk songs, created in the 14th century, express a variety of village customs. They show respect for parents, love and devotion to family members, as well as the importance of honesty and good heart in maintaining social harmony.
As a result, Vietnamese music and poetry serve as a powerful link between the past and present, connecting the nation’s diverse cultures. In addition, it is a form of self-expression that empowers artists to face the challenges and obstacles in life.
Harmony
The cultural preservation of Vietnamese music has been carried on by a number of organizations and individuals, from localities to universities. They have set up clubs, schools and associations to promote tuong, a classic performing art that involves singing, acting and action. It’s a very important part of the culture, especially for worshiping mother goddess and ancestral gods. The artists have to be very good at singing and enunciating their roles https://bancanbiet.vn/.
The music and poetry have a lot of harmonic features. The rhyme of the poems or folklore songs is often complex, with reversals of tones. These reversals help preserve the musical quality of the song.
In addition, Vietnamese music is characterized by its improvisation and ornamentation. Some foreign influences have also been incorporated into Vietnamese music.
Cultural significance
Music and poetry carry a certain metacultural air that peppers the cultural landscape with sonic breadcrumbs. They become time capsules that capture moments of Vietnamese identity and history.
Like verse in Chinese, Vietnamese poetry has a combination of meter and rhyme. The syllable count of words defines the tone class, and the tones are defined by vowel sounds: flat (thu, sanh, tai) or sharp (cn, tông).
Regional folk songs and musical forms varied across the country. They carried with them the cultural characteristics of different ethnic groups and themes ranging from the beauty of nature to the hardships of daily life. They were accompanied by traditional instruments such as the dan nguyet or the dan bau (Vietnamese monochord). This music survived through the post-war resettlement period and has been preserved to this day.
Evolution
During the colonial period, Vietnamese court music and poetry took on Chinese influences. However, since the country opened up in 1975, Vietnamese music and poetry have incorporated diverse styles from around the world.
Unlike English or classical Greek and Latin verse where syllables are categorized by stress, in Vietnamese poems syllables are characterized both by their count and their tone. A line of regulated verse contains 6 distinct tones—some flat, some sharp.
The Cai Luong opera, for example, is based on Don ca Tai Tu and Mekong Delta folk melodies, yet it incorporates elements from old Vietnamese stories, Nom poetry, and literature about Vietnam culture as well as ancient Indian, Egyptian Roman, and Japanese tales. This cultural fusion is the special feature of this type of traditional Vietnamese music.
Cultural preservation
Vietnam’s traditional music is rich due to a synthesis of genres from different ages and ethnic groups. While sharing the same musical genre, each ethnic group has its own rhythm and style of expression. The lullabies of the Kinh people, for example, are distinct from those of the Muong or Dao.
In addition, a diverse range of traditional instruments and performance styles support these musical traditions. In addition to cheo and tuong, they include cai luong (traditional theatrical music), quan ho, water puppet, “ly” singing, and nha nhac – Hue royal court music from the Tran and Nguyen dynasties. These musical masterpieces have been recognized by UNESCO as intangible global cultural heritage. They are a valuable resource for those who wish to preserve the country’s cultural identity and history.
