In the heart of Vietnam’s Red River Delta lies a cultural gem that few outside the region know about: Hát Dô, a traditional folk performance deeply rooted in the spiritual and agricultural life of Liệp Tuyết commune, Quốc Oai district, Hanoi. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2023, Hát Dô is not just a performance—it is a living memory of the community’s reverence for Tản Viên Sơn Thánh, one of Vietnam’s Four Immortals
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A Tradition Born from Gratitude
According to legend, Tản Viên Sơn Thánh once visited Lạp Hạ (now Liệp Tuyết) and taught the local people how to farm and cultivate rice. After 36 years, he returned to find the village thriving. In celebration, he gathered young men and women to teach them songs and dances—thus giving birth to Hát Dô.
To honor his contributions, the villagers built Khánh Xuân Temple and began holding the Hát Dô Festival every 36 years. During the festival, villagers would retrieve traditional costumes, fans, and songbooks stored away for decades, and revive the ancient melodies and rituals.
Three Forms of Hát Dô Performance
Hát Dô is performed in three distinct styles:
- Hát thờ (Temple singing) – sacred songs performed only inside the temple.
- Hát chúc (Blessing songs) – long, ceremonial songs with 36 melodic variations, often lasting over an hour.
- Hát bỏ bộ (Walking songs) – shorter, more interactive performances that reflect daily life, love, and community spirit.
What makes Hát Dô especially unique is its lack of musical instruments. Instead, performers use wooden clappers and fans to maintain rhythm and enhance expression.
A Rare Festival with Strict Traditions
The Hát Dô Festival is traditionally held from the 10th to the 15th day of the first lunar month. Participants must be unmarried and come from families without recent mourning. The lead singer, or “cái hát,” wears a traditional turban and tunic, while the chorus of “con hát” (female performers) don colorful five-paneled dresses and carry fans.
After the festival, all costumes and songbooks are carefully stored away until the next celebration—36 years later. The last full-scale Hát Dô Festival was held in 1926, and due to war and social changes, the tradition nearly vanished.
Revival and Preservation
Thanks to efforts by local artisans and cultural authorities, Hát Dô has been revived since the late 1980s. Cultural clubs in Liệp Tuyết now train younger generations, and performances are held at regional festivals like Chùa Thầy Festival to keep the tradition alive.
Conclusion
Hát Dô is more than a performance—it is a cultural time capsule, a tribute to community, gratitude, and spiritual legacy. As Vietnam continues to modernize, preserving such rare traditions ensures that the soul of its villages continues to sing for generations to come.