When young artists revitalize traditional music.
In the context of an increasingly diverse music market, with the explosion of pop, rap/hip-hop, EDM, etc., many people once worried that traditional music - especially folk songs like "ví" and "giặm" - would gradually be overshadowed and forgotten. However, recently, many young artists have boldly approached traditional music by seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, captivating listeners.
Revitalizing folk songs with modern arrangements.
Recently, the public in Nghe An has been paying attention to the release of a musical product by musician and singer Lo The Anh from the Provincial Traditional Arts Center."Longing for the girl in the folk song."This was a bold experiment, as he rearranged the proverb in the song "Testing Loyalty" with electronic music, creating a blend of traditional melody and contemporary feel.
The song features a lead vocal performance by Meritorious Artist Minh Thành, a familiar voice in the Nghệ Tĩnh folk singing style. Throughout, the song develops into a youthful, energetic piece of music that still retains the soul of Nghệ An province. Shortly after its release, the music video ""Longing for her, a folk song."It has received hundreds of thousands of views, creating a strong viral effect in the online community.
Lô Thế Anh's approach is considered a "successful experiment," because instead of destroying the old, he finds a way to "bring it closer" to younger audiences. Amidst the digital music landscape overflowing with electronic sounds, the folk melodies of Nghệ Tĩnh still resonate, simple and unpretentious, yet captivating thanks to modern arrangements.
"I just want to prove that traditional music can still integrate into the globalized world without losing its essence. And young artists like us carry the mission of renewing it in our own way," said Lo The Anh.
Not only Lo The Anh, but also musician Le Xuan Hoa - a familiar face in the Nghe An folk music genre - brought a surprise by rearranging the song."The Nghe An accent returns"During the Cua Lo Beach Tourism Festival in 2025, "Giong Nghe Tim Ve" (The Voice of Nghe An Returns), a song deeply ingrained in the public's hearts for its smooth folk and traditional melodies, has been given a fresh new sound in this re-release thanks to the work of composers Luong Khac Thanh and Cao Dang Hieu. The new version begins with a powerful rap segment, building the emotions to a climax.
Immediately after the performance, singer Trang Nhung's rendition created a "social media storm," with hundreds of trending clips of "The Nghe An Voice Returning" being widely shared. "I didn't expect that with the new arrangement, the song would resonate so strongly with the public," composer Le Xuan Hoa confided. "This shows that relying solely on the old style makes it difficult to reach young people. The creativity of young composers doesn't diminish the song's identity; instead, it gives it a second chance at life."
According to musician Le Xuan Hoa, amidst the vibrant wave of modern music, traditional folk melodies are gradually regaining their place through creative and relatable approaches. When pop music becomes oversaturated, audiences seek out something simple and emotionally profound. Folk music, therefore, becomes a "cultural undercurrent" that helps young musicians enrich their creative emotions and renew the aesthetics of popular music.
Trends in reviving traditional music
On a broader scale, not only Nghe An but the whole country is witnessing a wave of revitalizing traditional music. Numerous singers and groups such as Duc Phuc, Phuong My Chi, Hoa Minzy, Ha Myo, Hoang Thuy Linh... are boldly blending folk elements with pop, R&B, or rap to create unique products.
Notably, Hoa Minzy's music video "Bac Bling" is a viral sensation, combining the Quan Ho folk music of Bac Ninh with modern electronic music. The wordplay in the title "Bac Bling" is both bold and charming, causing the MV to quickly climb to the top of YouTube's trending list just days after its release.
Similarly, Duc Phuc's song "Phu Dong Thien Vuong," which won first prize at an international music competition in Russia, is also compelling evidence of the fusion between traditional and modern elements. The song uses folk music elements in the chorus and harmony, creating an epic that is both traditional and full of youthful energy.
Besides that, there are other notable achievements: "Let Me Tell You" (Hoang Thuy Linh), "Hanoi Xam" (Ha Myo), the Xam music video "The Love of Father and Mother" (Meritorious Artist Tan Nhan), or the program "Returning to Kinh Bac" (artist Ngo Hong Quang)... All of them affirm that folk songs, Cheo, Xam, Vi, and Giam still have a strong vitality when infused with creative spirit.
Even young rappers aren't staying out of the game. Artists like Pháo, Sterry, and Tez are creating rap tracks."Beautiful bamboo"– a fresh blend of Northern Vietnamese folk music and rap, both charming and energetic. Meanwhile, Quân AP impressed with his arrangement."Love match"and"Sitting leaning against the side of the boat", bringing a modern touch to old melodies.
Composer Le Xuan Hoa commented: "Traditional music needs to preserve its identity, but it cannot remain stagnant forever. As society develops, music must also transform. Renewal doesn't mean losing it, but rather breathing new life into it so that folk music continues to live on in the hearts of the public."
A blend of folk and modern styles.
For decades, Vietnamese folk music was confined to traditional settings, appearing only on academic stages or at cultural festivals. This repetition of form and lack of mainstream reach made the genre increasingly unfamiliar to younger generations – those who grew up with K-pop, rap, and Western music.
However, the reality in recent years has been completely contrary to those concerns. Traditional Vietnamese music is experiencing a "revival" in contemporary life through the soft power of Vietnamese culture. Reality shows such as..."My brother overcame countless obstacles."good"The beautiful woman braves the wind and waves."This is proof: Folk songs, traditional musical instruments, and ancient languages can all take to the stage under colorful lights, blending with the rhythm of today's life. There, young artists like Soobin Hoang Son, Jun Pham, Bui Cong Nam... have breathed new life into "Trong Com" (Rice Drum), "Di Cay" (Going to Plant Rice), and "Ly Ngua O" (Black Horse Song) by blending the sounds of the zither, rice drum, and bamboo flute in modern arrangements. These performances not only evoke memories of their roots but also help young people realize that folk songs are not outdated – they just need to be retold in the musical language of the modern era.
"It's encouraging that young Vietnamese audiences now not only listen to foreign music but are also actively exploring traditional Vietnamese music through many new forms: covers, remixes, and mashups using folk instruments. This is not just a trend, but an expression of pride and a need to rediscover identity in a globalized world."
Musician Quoc Chung - Director of the Nghe An Traditional Arts Center
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, folk melodies still subtly resonate – not boisterous, but enduring; not distant, but intimately familiar. For in every folk song, every beat of the drum, every Quan Ho melody, lies the voice of the Vietnamese people – modern in form, traditional in spirit.
