The journey to preserve and revive the art of traditional Bai Choi folk singing owes much to the tireless efforts of numerous artisans and researchers. They have worked diligently to reintegrate this cultural heritage into the spiritual and cultural lives of the people. Among these passionate individuals is Pham Hong Thai, a resident of Duong Lam 2 Village, Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, who was conferred the title of “Meritorious Artisan” by the President of Viet Nam in 2016.
Meritorious Artisan Pham Hong Thai during a session teaching Bai Choi folk singing at Hoa Chau Primary School No. 1, Hoa Vang District.
Meritorious Artisan Pham Hong Thai is a familiar face in the Bai Choi circles of Quang Nam. He has participated in countless cultural events and training sessions, teaching Bai Choi folk singing to younger generations across localities and schools in Da Nang.
Bai Choi has been ingrained in Mr Thai’s life since childhood. Whenever the art form is mentioned, his eyes light up with passion for its melodies and lyrics. At the age of 16, his love for the arts led him to join Hoa Phong Commune’s mobile information troupe, performing across villages. A pivotal moment in his journey was meeting artisans from the former Quang Nam - Da Nang Provincial Opera Troupe, who taught him folk melodies. Thanks to his talent and passion, he mastered four main tunes of Bai Choi within just a week. This marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to Bai Choi.
His talent was recognised early. In 1986, he won first prize in a local folk music competition as part of Hoa Phong Commune’s artisan troupe, eventually representing the district in a city-level competition.
Through his performances and connections with other artisans, Mr Thai collaborated with local authorities and artisans from Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, to bring Bai Choi back to Hoa Phong Commune, spreading its influence throughout Hoa Vang.
As a music director and participant in folk singing competitions, he led his team to many achievements, including gold and silver medals at regional and national folk music festivals in 2014 and 2018.
However, as modern life advanced, Bai Choi began to fade into obscurity, overshadowed by other forms of entertainment. Its presence dwindled to occasional performances during Lunar New Year celebrations, leaving its survival at risk.
Deeply concerned by this decline, Mr Thai overcame numerous challenges to preserve and popularise Bai Choi, especially among the youth. He conducted summer training sessions for students, shared knowledge through radio broadcasts, and diversified performances at local festivals, village events, and economic and cultural activities.
One of his greatest joys has been the introduction of Bai Choi into schools, a programme initiated by Hoa Vang District leaders nearly 15 years ago. This effort, now expanded to schools across Da Nang under the guidance of the city’s leadership, aims to foster a love for traditional culture among younger generations and cultivate future artisans.
Mr Thai emphasised the importance of ensuring continuity for traditional arts like Bai Choi because if we don’t have a succeeding generation, or if we fail to nurture them over the long term, losing this heritage would be a great pity. Integrating folk singing into schools isn’t about training performers but creating an audience that appreciates cultural heritage. So far, all primary and junior high schools in Hoa Vang District have had folk singing clubs, where students can learn and perform.
“The goal is to raise awareness among teachers, students, and parents about the value and significance of traditional culture encapsulated in Bai Choi and folk songs. It’s about sparking students’ curiosity about the spiritual life and cultural richness of their homeland, inspiring them to preserve traditional cultural identity. By nurturing this generation, we can hope that Bai Choi, and folk songs in general, will live on in the hearts of Da Nang residents,” Mr Thai affirmed.
Reporting by Thu Lan - Translating by Truc Vy