A weekly performance of the Ca Tru Hanoi club is held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night at 42-44 Hang Bac Street in Hanoi.
Ca tru Hanoi club was established in 1990. Since then the club has organized performances as well as making serious efforts toward preserving and spreading the art of Ca tru.
Ca tru (song with clappers), is an ancient genre of chamber music, featuring female vocalists, with origins in northern Vietnam. For much of its history, it was associated with a geisha-like form of entertainment, which combined entertaining wealthy people as well as performing religious songs for the royal court.
In 2009, Ca tru was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Ms. Le Thi Bach Van, director of the club, was awarded the title of “Excellent Artist” by the Vietnamese government in 2012 in recognition of her contribution to this ancient art.
All songs are performed in Vietnamese, but English introduction and translation are available. During the break, audiences can learn more about the history of Ca tru and instruments used in the performance, as well as have a chance to try their hands at the instruments.