Don Ca Tai Tu was officially recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 5, 2013. This recognition opened a new development period for this folk-art form.

According to UNESCO’s assessment, the genre met the criteria for inclusion on its heritage list having been passed down from generation to generation through official and unofficial forms of education in all 21 provinces where the art form is popular.

Dr. Le Hong Phuoc, Vice Dean of Faculty of French Literature, Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities (HCMUSSH), explained that the music is based on 20 original pieces. It is played on a variety of different instruments, including the moon-shaped lute, two-stringed fiddle, sixteen-stringed zither, pear-shaped lute, percussion, monochord, and bamboo flute.

Its repertoire is based on 20 principal songs and 72 classical songs. The musical art is passed on through oral transmission, based on imitation, from master instrumentalists and singers to students. Musicians need to study for at least three years to learn the basic instrumental techniques and master the musical modes to express different moods and emotions. Vocal students study the traditional songs and learn to improvise, using different ornamentation techniques.

Since its UNESCO recognition, Don Ca Tai Tu has been well preserved by southern localities, including Ho Chi Minh City. The city’s government, cultural managers, researchers, artists and fans of Don Ca Tai Tu have implemented activities to promote, train and preserve Don Ca Tai Tu.

Other southwestern localities have Don Ca Tai Tu clubs and groups. This art is performed regularly in clubs, rural gardens, tourist attractions, large-scale stages, competitions and festivals.

For over a century, Don Ca Tai Tu has proven its vitality, being performed at weddings, death anniversaries, birthday celebrations and public gatherings.