Chau Van, which hasnational heritage status already, was created during the Tran Dynasty(1225-1400) and Nam Dinh province is considered its birthplace.
The highly rhythmic and trance-oriented form of singing often takesplace during rituals to honour the Mother Goddesses and connect to othergods. It is performed mostly at temples and pagodas.
The music and poetry performed in the folk art are mingled with avariety of rhythms, pauses, tempos, stresses and pitches. The genre hasalso adopted folk songs from the highlands of the north, centre andsouth. The main musical instrument used in the genre is Dan Nguyet(moon-shaped lute).
Vietnam now has sevenexamples of world intangible heritage listed by UNESCO, namely Hue'sroyal court music; Gong space culture in the Central Highlands; Quan ho(love duet) singing; the Giong festival; Ca Tru ceremonial singing; Xoansinging; and the Worship of the nation founders Hung Kings.-VNA