“Trong Quan” singing

Trong Quan singing is a special type of courtship singing in the northern delta of Vietnam. It is often held in the autumn nights to enjoy the moonlight. It is also performed in the festivals for young people to test the intelligence of each other. It’s called Trong Quan because it is performed with a drum and the song's sentences are always finished with the sound of drumbeat "thung thinh, thung thinh".

It was very popular throughout the area in the old time. One of the most famous Trong Quan singers is Ms. Vu Dinh Xuyen, who lives in Hiep Cuong, Kim Dong district. It is the most popular performance in villages of An Thi, Khoai Chau and Van Giang districts.

Every year, when the autumn comes, Tao Khe and Dao Xa villages organize Trong Quan singing festivals from the early evening until midnight and the festivals take place until the end of a lunar phase. During the festival time, lots of people along the river go to Dao Quat temple and Tao Khe dyke to sing and listen to Trong Quan songs. This is the native land of the Singing Queen and the late poet Pham Huy Thong. It generally contains these parts: greeting, singing and offering betel, asking and answering, and singing about flowers...

This is the asking and answering section in Dao-Tao Trong Quan singing:

Men (Q) I have the desire to know more and more

                   I’d like to ask if there is someone who is faithful there.

Women (A) There are lovely mushrooms  

                  The most faithful people are Chu Dong Tu - Tien Dung.

Women (Q) Two banks share a river

                 Who's your hero?

 Men (A) The word is as valuable as the morning light

                The most talented person is Hung Dao Vuong.

Like Quan Ho singing, Trong Quan singing was once as popular as Cheo singing. It is necessary to preserve it in the current life.