The highlight of a series of activities held on thefestival’s first day were performances of “ Don ca tai tu” at the HoNam eco-tourism site in Bac Lieu city.
Meanwhile, a tourism andtrade fair was held introducing the specialties of regional localities.The host Bac Lieu brought traditional farm products, including rice andseafood, to display at the event, which will run until April 29.
A six-day exhibition on ornamental trees and a food festival are also taking place during the festival.
The national “Don Ca Tai Tu” festival is scheduled to be held triennially across southern provinces in turn.
Knownas a musical art that has both scholarly and folk roots, “Don ca taitu” developed in southern Vietnam in the late 19th century. Theimpromptu art honours the creativity and artistry of the performers.
UNESCO recognised the art as intangible culturalheritage on December 5 during the eighth session of theIntergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the IntangibleCultural Heritage in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Influencedby other forms of cultural heritage from the central and southernregions of Vietnam, such as “nhac le” (ceremonial music) and “hat boi”(classical theatre and folk singing), the music genre was added to theNational List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.-VNA