Preserving Xoan Singing Heritage in Schools

On the land that is the origin of national culture—where Phu Tho’s Xoan Singing was recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity—Xoan Singing and folk song clubs are tirelessly working to preserve and promote the value of this precious heritage. In Viet Tri City, Xoan Singing and folk song clubs at schools play an essential role in teaching and spreading the love for Xoan Singing within the community.

Students at Tan Dan Primary School actively participate in Xoan Singing performances.

Located next to an ancient communal house, teachers and students at Hung Lo Primary School are always mindful of the importance of raising awareness and responsibility for preserving and promoting the value of Xoan Singing heritage. Alongside constantly innovating and improving the quality of teaching and learning, the school actively organizes activities related to Xoan Singing. In 2020, the Xoan and Folk Song Club was established with more than 200 members, including students and teachers.

Nguyen Tung Duong, a student in class 4D, shared, "Since grade 1, we’ve been taught Xoan Singing by our teachers, starting with short, easy-to-remember songs and progressing to longer, more challenging ones. On the first day, I didn’t know how to hold a drumstick to beat the rhythm, but now I can confidently perform with my friends in the club, singing songs like “Mo ca,” “Danh trong giao Phao,” and 'Xin hue do hue...'"

It has become a tradition that every Tuesday and Thursday, all students at the school learn Xoan Singing during recess. As a result, Xoan Singing has become an integral part of the educational program that fosters a love for heritage.

Teacher Le Thi Lan Anh, Principal of the school, said, "100% of the classes have studied and learned Xoan Singing, with most students from grade 2 and above knowing 2-3 ancient Xoan songs. The selection of songs is discussed by the school in collaboration with the Xoan Singing and Folk Song Club of Hung Lo Commune to ensure they are melodies that are familiar, easy to learn, and easy to remember. The school club also regularly participates in performances when groups of guests visit the Hung Lo Communal House."

The Xoan Singing and Folk Song Club of Hung Lo Primary School participated in an Xoan Singing performance during the art exchange program for the Hung Kings' Death Anniversary and the Cultural-Tourism Week of the Ancestral Land in 2025, organized by Viet Tri City.

Xoan Singing, with its smooth and graceful melodies, is not only a unique cultural treasure of Phu Tho but also a source of pride for the Vietnamese people. Thanks to the dedication of teachers and the passion of students, the Xoan Singing and Folk Songs Club of the Phu Tho Department of Education and Training in Viet Tri City has become a vibrant “playground” where students can learn, practice, and perform ancient Xoan melodies. The club’s activities not only help students improve their singing and performing skills but also cultivate their love for their homeland and country, as well as a sense of responsibility in preserving national cultural heritage.

The Xoan Singing and Folk Songs Club of the City Department of Education and Training currently has 95 small clubs in 95 kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools, with 7,128 members participating in activities. The club’s management board regularly organizes activities, meetings, and practice sessions four times a month.

Additionally, for each traditional festival at local communal houses, temples, and political events in the city, the club intensifies its practice to improve the quality of its performances. Over the past five years, the club has organized five grassroots-level classes with more than 200 participants. It has also won several awards in competitions, performances, and festivals at various levels.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Minh Thinh, Principal of Tan Dan Primary School and Head of the Xoan and Folk Songs Club of the Phu Tho Department of Education and Training in Viet Tri City, shared: "In the future, the club will continue to promote the teaching of Xoan and folk songs in schools, while expanding exchange and performance activities to spread the value of this heritage to the public. We will also focus on innovating teaching methods, blending tradition and modernity, so that Xoan Singing becomes more accessible and appealing to the younger generation."

Phu Tho’s Xoan Singing is a valuable cultural heritage that needs to be preserved and promoted sustainably. To achieve this, we need the cooperation of the entire society, from state management agencies and cultural organizations to artisans and clubs inside and outside schools, to ensure this heritage endures forever, becoming a point of pride for the people of the Ancestral Land.

Hong Nhung