Basic HTML Version
timeout
43
O
ver the years, thanks to the
interests of Kien Giang pro-
vincial authorities, the pearl
island has hosted many art
and cultural activities for locals and
tourists. One aim of such activities is
to preserve traditional folk music in the
form of
don ca tai tu
– the southern folk
opera style.
A traditional club was established
in the island’s centre with the practical
support of the local authority so ama-
teur artists could work to maintain this
valuable cultural tourism product.
“After realising the demand for
regular cultural performances on the
island, we built the club for local resi-
dents to enjoy after work and for tour-
ists. At the moment, the front yard
of the Cultural House is empty every
night. So, we have called on entrepre-
neurs to invest in setting up a success-
ful club. The don ca tai tu campaign has
grown quickly,” said Vo Thanh Nam,
director of Phu Quoc’s Culture, Sports
and Tourism Centre.
Members of the special club in-
clude not only old artisans, but younger
people who have come to learn, train
and grow their love and passion for the
artform. Even tourists can participate as
singers on stage every night. Although
not up to the standards of professional
artists, everyone can sing passionately
with all their enthusiasm.
“Phu Quoc’s
don ca tai tu
club has
35 official members and weekly activi-
ties on Monday and Thursday in the
provincial culture house. The club now
offers a free first month’s membership,”
said Ha Kim Thanh, chairwoman of the
club. The club performs at parties and
festivals, so they regularly update their
repertoire with new songs. The club
also sings in the night market for free.
According to Kien Giang’s statis-
tics, more than 2 million domestic and
foreign tourists travelled to the prov-
ince in the first six months of 2013,
bringing in VND594 billion. They also
say that more than 1.5 million visi-
tors saw a
don ca tai tu
club perform.
Currently the province has 130 clubs,
with many groups singing all over the
province. Phu Quoc island alone has 10
clubs and groups.
“We have started a campaign to
have UNESCO recognise the art form,”
said To Duy Chiem, director of Kien Gi-
ang provincial culture centre.
Phu Quoc island is the home of dan ca tai tu, a unique form of southern folk
opera that is proving a hit with tourists in search of cultural insight. Words by
The Hanh
THE MELODIES OF PHU QUOC
THE MEKONG DELTA’S TOURISM