Northern province boosts Quan Ho preservation and promotion

Bac Ninh Province has been focusing on teaching the younger generation to learn about and sing Quan Ho

Immediately after Quan Ho love duet singing has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage on September 30, 2009, Bac Ninh Province launched numerous activities to preserve and promote the heritage. Notably, the province has adopted a range of preferential policies for Quan Ho artisans and villages. The provincial People’s Committee has conferred the title Quan Ho Artisan on 156 people, while the President of Vietnam has recognized 9 People’s Artisans, 37 Meritorious Artisans, 2 People’s Artists, and 17 Meritorious Artists in this regard.

The 156 Quan Ho artisans recognized by the provincial People’s Committee have received a one-time bonus seven times the basic salary in addition to a monthly allowance equal to monthly basic salary, and annual health insurance coverage and funeral support similar to those provided to state employees.

Meritorious Artisans can receive a monthly allowance 1.5 times the basic salary, and annual health insurance and funeral support similar to those subject to state employees. People’s Artisans can enjoy a monthly allowance twice the basic salary, along with health insurance and funeral support similar to those applied to state employees.

The Bac Ninh Provincial People’s Committee has recognized 44 original Quan Ho villages and 150 practicing Quan Ho villages, and provides annual support worth VND30 million and VND20 million for each original and practicing Quan Ho village, respectively.

From 2009 to 2024, the province developed and procured cultural infrastructure and equipment to cater for preserving and promoting Quan Ho love duet signing. This includes the Quan Ho Ancestor Cultural Complex in Bac Ninh City, six Quan Ho singing huts on the famous Lim Hill in Tien Du District, 11 Quan Ho Houses, and equipment for 45 Quan Ho clubs across 44 original Quan Ho villages.

The province is focusing on training and passing down the art of Quan Ho singing to the younger generation. The Cultural Center of Bac Ninh Province has held over 20 Quan Ho singing classes across eight districts, towns, and cities, with more than 40 students per class, and has reprinted a collection of 200 Quan Ho songs for artisans to use as teaching material.

The Youth Union of Bac Ninh Province cooperated with the provincial Radio and Television Station to organize the annual Quan Ho singing contest for children aged from 8-15. This competition, for children aged 8-15.

Experts have highly rated Bac Ninh’s efficient efforts in Quan Ho preservation and development.