Bringing Southern folk songs and ly melodies closer to students

Building on the success of introducing Don Ca Tai Tu (southern amateur traditional music) and Cai Luong (reformed opera) to schools in previous years, during the summer of 2026, the Dong Nai Arts Theatre expanded its traditional cultural education activities by introducing Southern Vietnamese ly melodies and folk songs to students.

Artists and performers from the Dong Nai Arts Theatre perform Southern Vietnamese folk songs for students in Tran Bien Ward.

In addition to enjoying traditional folk performances, students across Dong Nai City are guided by artists to sing, learn traditional ho chants and ly melodies, and experience the beauty of the cultural heritage of Southern Vietnam through hands-on participation.

Bringing folk songs closer to students

In the final days of July, the stages of the Dong Nai Arts Theatre and Khanh Hung Theatre (located in Tran Bien Ward) were filled with music and dance performances, Cai Luong excerpts, and full-scale productions for both live and online audiences. A highlight of this year's program was a series of artistic exchange sessions designed specifically for students, where Southern Vietnamese ly melodies and folk songs were introduced through engaging and interactive activities.

Instead of relying on conventional lectures, the artists opened each session with live performances featuring familiar Southern folk songs and ly melodies. The simple yet expressive tunes quickly captivated the students. The atmosphere became increasingly lively as hundreds of students joined together to practice singing and then became familiar with the rhythms of traditional ly melodies. Their initially hesitant chants of “ho, xe, xang, xu, cong” soon grew rhythmic and full of enthusiasm.

In addition to enjoying the performances, students also participated in hands-on practice under the guidance of People’s Artist Que Anh, Director of the Dong Nai Arts Theatre. Through short instructional sessions, students were introduced to the origins and distinctive characteristics of various Southern ly melodies and folk songs. They also learned breathing techniques, pronunciation, vocal phrasing and expressive movements needed to perform each melody effectively. This practical teaching approach enabled students to become familiar with traditional folk music in a natural, memorable and engaging way.

From July 28 to August 2, the Dong Nai Arts Theatre continues to organize a series of artistic exchange programs featuring Southern ly melodies and folk songs for students at the theatre. These exchange sessions are held at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays, helping bring traditional performing arts closer to younger generations.

According to People’s Artist Que Anh, Southern ly melodies and folk songs originated from people’s daily work and life and have been passed down from one generation to another. Every ho chant and ly melody reflects not only the emotions and aspirations of working people but also conveys moral values and a deep love for the homeland and the nation. When properly introduced to Southern ly melodies and folk songs, students gain a better understanding of Vietnam's rich tradition of folk music, thereby connecting young people with cultural heritage and contributing to the preservation and promotion of these valuable artistic and cultural traditions.

“What is especially encouraging is that the exchange sessions organized by the Dong Nai Arts Theatre have received enthusiastic responses from students. Many have confidently joined in singing, taken the initiative to learn more about and eagerly experienced Southern ly melodies and folk songs. Moreover, the increasing presence of these traditional melodies on digital platforms has provided students with more opportunities to discover, appreciate and develop an interest in this traditional art form”, said People’s Artist Que Anh.

Cultivating a love for cultural heritage through experience

According to Nguyen Tien Nhat, a teacher at Asia Bilingual College (Tran Bien Ward), the school developed a heritage experience program for students at the beginning of the summer of 2026. As part of the program, the school partnered with the Dong Nai Arts Theatre to organize visits for students to watch Southern folk song performances, learn familiar ly melodies and interact directly with professional artists. These activities provided students with valuable opportunities to experience traditional arts firsthand, helping foster both appreciation and a sense of responsibility for preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

“If students learn only through textbooks, it is difficult for them to fully appreciate the beauty of Southern folk songs and ly melodies. When they listen to artists perform live, sing along with the artists and learn the meanings behind each lyric, they absorb the knowledge much more quickly and show great enthusiasm. It is a vivid and highly persuasive form of cultural education”, Nhat shared.

For the first time learning to sing Southern folk songs, Nguyen Gia Linh, a ninth-grade student at Asia Bilingual College, said that she had previously listened mainly to modern music. After participating in the program, however, she was deeply impressed by the charm of Southern folk songs and ly melodies.

“At first, I thought folk songs would be very difficult to sing. But after People's Artist Que Anh patiently guided us through each phrase and rhythm, I found them much easier to learn and truly enjoyable. My classmates and I even went on stage to practice singing while performing. After today's lesson, I'm going to search for more Southern folk songs on YouTube so I can learn more about this traditional art form”, Gia Linh said.

In addition to introducing Southern folk songs and ly melodies to students, the Dong Nai Arts Theatre has, for many years, organized exchange programs and performances that bring traditional art forms such as Don Ca Tai Tu and Cai Luong into schools. These activities help enrich school cultural life, nurture students’ artistic appreciation and help younger generations gain a deeper understanding of the traditional cultural values of Dong Nai in particular and Southern Vietnam in general.

At the same time, the theatre continues to organize hundreds of performances each year across communes and wards throughout the city. Through these artistic programs, Southern ly melodies, folk songs and Cai Luong are reaching wider audiences than ever before. The close connection among the theatre, schools and the community is breathing new life into traditional performing arts, ensuring that these cherished melodies and folk traditions continue to be preserved and passed on to today’s youth and future generations.

By My Ny - Translated by Diec Quyen, Thu Ha