## Thang Long – The Cradle of Ca Tru Art In the heart of modern-day Hanoi, on a cool autumn evening, one might still catch the faint sound of bamboo clappers keeping rhythm, the deep resonance of a đàn đáy lute, and a female voice as clear as morning dew falling upon a still lake. This is **Ca Tru** – the ancient art of poetry singing that has been intertwined with the land of Thang Long since the capital was first established, enduring through countless dynasties and never ceasing to shine. Thang Long was not merely a political capital; it stood as the greatest cultural center of the Vietnamese nation for over a thousand years. It was here that Ca Tru was refined, cherished, and elevated to its most exquisite heights. From solemn ceremonial performances at communal houses to all-night singing sessions in the old quarter, Thang Long's Ca Tru carries within it the very soul of a millennium-old capital of civilization. ## The Capital's Role in Ca Tru Development ### A Magnet for Talent from Every Province Ancient Thang Long acted as an enormous magnet, drawing the most exceptional talents from every corner of the country. The most gifted **đào nương** (female singers) from Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Thanh Hoa, and Nghe An all dreamed of performing in the capital. To be recognized in Thang Long meant earning the admiration of the entire realm. The late artisan Nguyen Thi Chuc, one of Hanoi's last Ca Tru masters, once recalled: *"My mother told me that in the old days, đào nương coming from the provinces had to pass through countless voice trials and many nights of practice before they were allowed onto the main performance mat. The standards were incredibly high, but that is precisely what kept the art pure and refined."* ### The Royal Court and Aristocracy – The First Great Patrons Kings and lords of the Le and Nguyen dynasties were devoted admirers and patrons of Ca Tru. Within the Thang Long court, Ca Tru was performed during important ceremonies, grand banquets, and diplomatic receptions for foreign envoys. Royal patronage provided Ca Tru with the means to develop artistically while elevating the social standing of its practitioners. The aristocracy, mandarins, and Confucian scholars of Thang Long played an equally vital role. They served as both discerning audiences and prolific poets, composing hundreds of verses that were set to Ca Tru melodies. This refined interplay between performer and connoisseur pushed Ca Tru to its artistic zenith. ## The Famous Giáo Phường of Thang Long ### Kham Thien Guild – The Brightest Star No discussion of Thang Long Ca Tru is complete without mentioning the **Kham Thien guild**. Kham Thien Street was once the epicenter of Ca Tru performance in the capital, with dozens of singing houses standing side by side along the thoroughfare. Each evening, the sounds of lutes and voices drifted from both sides of the street, mingling with the animated chatter of appreciative audiences, creating an extraordinarily vivid portrait of cultural life. The legendary Quach Thi Ho, celebrated as the *"golden voice of Vietnamese Ca Tru,"* grew up and achieved fame within the Kham Thien guild. Her crystalline voice, filled with inner strength, treated every syllable like a jewel polished to perfection, leaving an indelible impression on all who were privileged to hear her sing. ### Lo Khe Guild – The Ancestral Root The village of Lo Khe in Dong Anh district is regarded as one of the birthplaces of Ca Tru, home to the temple honoring the art's founding ancestors. The Lo Khe guild is renowned for its solemn ceremonial singing style, preserving the most ancient traditions of the art form. Each year, the Lo Khe Ca Tru Festival draws artisans and enthusiasts from across the country, serving as a pilgrimage to the art's spiritual homeland. ### Thuong Mo, Chanh Thon, and Surrounding Guilds Beyond Kham Thien and Lo Khe, the greater Thang Long region boasted numerous other distinguished guilds, including **Thuong Mo** (Dan Phuong) and **Chanh Thon** (Phu Xuyen). Each guild cultivated its own distinctive style, contributing to the rich diversity of Thang Long Ca Tru. Regular artistic exchanges and competitions between guilds served as powerful engines of creative development. ## Ca Tru in Hanoi's Old Quarter – From Temple to Street ### Ceremonial Singing – The Most Sacred Space Within the tranquil sanctuaries of communal houses, beneath moss-covered tile roofs, Ca Tru voices rose like sacred prayers. Ceremonial singing, known as *hát cửa đình*, represented the most formal expression of the art. The đào nương, dressed in the traditional four-paneled áo dài, would sit upon an embroidered mat facing the ancestral altar. Every phrase, every beat of the clappers carried profound spiritual meaning, expressing reverence for heaven, earth, and ancestors. ### Salon Performances in the City Streets Alongside the solemnity of temple singing, Ca Tru flourished in private salons scattered throughout the old quarter. Small houses on Hang Giay, Hang Buom, and Kham Thien streets were transformed into intimate performance spaces where poets, scholars, and literati gathered to savor the art after long days of work. In the flickering glow of oil lamps, with the subtle fragrance of lotus tea drifting through the air, Ca Tru melodies flowed like a cool stream, drawing listeners into a world of poetry and music. ### The Refined Pastime of Hanoians For the people of ancient Thang Long, listening to Ca Tru was not mere entertainment but a **refined cultural pursuit** that demanded knowledge of poetry, music, and a sophisticated aesthetic sensibility. A true Ca Tru connoisseur could distinguish every melodic mode, detect the subtlest vocal techniques of the singer, and most importantly, perceive the *"spirit"* within the voice – something that transcends description, comprehensible only to the receptive soul. ## Ca Tru in Hanoi Today – The Flame Still Burns ### Current Performance Venues Despite weathering countless storms, Ca Tru continues to be preserved in Hanoi at several regular performance venues: - **Kim Ngan Temple** (42 Hang Bac) – where the Hanoi Ca Tru Club organizes regular Saturday evening performances, attracting both domestic and international visitors. - **Bich Cau Dao Quan** (14 Cat Linh) – an atmospheric space steeped in antiquity where senior artisans teach and perform Ca Tru. - **Quan De Temple** (28 Hang Buom) – another cultural venue in the old quarter hosting regular Ca Tru evenings. - **Heritage House** (87 Ma May) – combining traditional architecture tours with live Ca Tru performances. ### The Keepers of the Flame Hanoi still has dedicated artisans who work tirelessly day and night to preserve and transmit Ca Tru. These quiet **flame-keepers**, despite economic hardships and societal indifference, remain steadfast in their devotion to their ancestral craft. Many have opened free Ca Tru classes for younger generations, nurturing the hope that the flame of Ca Tru will never be extinguished on the land of Thang Long. ## The Essence of Thang Long in Every Note ### Poetry and Music in Perfect Union What makes Thang Long Ca Tru uniquely captivating is the seamless fusion of poetry and music. The poems chosen for Ca Tru performance are typically masterworks by celebrated poets such as Nguyen Du, Cao Ba Quat, and Nguyen Cong Tru – writers who themselves lived, created, and enjoyed Ca Tru in the Thang Long capital. Each song becomes a literary gem set within an exquisite musical frame, radiating the luminous beauty of both verse and melody. ### Beautiful Legends A beloved story tells of one mid-autumn moonlit night when the poet **Nguyen Cong Tru** sat listening to Ca Tru at a singing house on Kham Thien Street. When the đào nương reached the line *"In the next life, let me not be born human; let me be a pine tree standing tall against the sky, singing in the wind,"* he was moved to tears. Rising from his seat, he bowed three times before the singer and declared: *"I have traveled the length and breadth of this land, yet never have I heard anyone sing so beautifully. That word 'singing' – only a voice from Thang Long could deliver it so."* > "Thang Long Ca Tru is more than music – it is the breath of the capital, the soul of a thousand years of civilization, the heartfelt voice of generations of Hanoians who loved beauty." – Artisan Nguyen Thi Chuc ## Frequently Asked Questions About Thang Long Ca Tru ### How does Thang Long Ca Tru differ from Ca Tru of other regions? Thang Long Ca Tru is characterized by a more refined and elegant style, shaped by the influence of court culture and the capital's scholarly class. Vocal techniques such as syllable placement and ornamentation are polished to near perfection, and the repertoire tends to favor literary poetry of the highest caliber. ### What is a giáo phường (Ca Tru guild)? A giáo phường was the professional organization of Ca Tru practitioners, comprising đào nương (singers), kép đàn (lute players), and quan viên (drum masters). Each guild had its own regulations, apprenticeship system, and performance territories, all overseen by a guild master known as the trùm phường. ### Where can visitors experience Ca Tru in Hanoi today? Visitors can enjoy Ca Tru performances at Kim Ngan Temple (42 Hang Bac), Bich Cau Dao Quan (14 Cat Linh), Quan De Temple (28 Hang Buom), and Heritage House (87 Ma May). Performances are typically held on Saturday or Sunday evenings each week. ### Why is Ca Tru so closely associated with Kham Thien Street? From the 19th century through the mid-20th century, Kham Thien Street was home to the highest concentration of Ca Tru singing houses in Hanoi. Many legendary đào nương lived and performed here, making Kham Thien an enduring symbol of Thang Long Ca Tru. ### Is Ca Tru only for older audiences? Not at all. Today, many young Hanoians are discovering Ca Tru with genuine curiosity and passion. Free Ca Tru classes, school outreach programs, and social media have made the art increasingly accessible to younger generations, proving that this ancient tradition can resonate powerfully with contemporary audiences. ### How should one prepare for a Ca Tru performance? The most important preparation is an open mind and patience. Ca Tru is not pop music or dance music – it requires stillness, focused attention, and emotional receptivity. Arrive early, find a comfortable seat, silence your phone, and allow yourself to be absorbed into its extraordinary sound world. ### Has Thang Long Ca Tru been recognized by UNESCO? In 2009, Ca Tru was inscribed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This international recognition affirmed the unique artistic value of Ca Tru while sounding an alarm that the art form faces serious risk of extinction. ### How can individuals help preserve Thang Long Ca Tru? You can attend Ca Tru performances, share information on social media, provide financial support to Ca Tru clubs, or simply introduce the art to friends and family. Every small action contributes meaningfully to safeguarding this precious heritage. **You may also want to explore:** - What is Ca Tru – Vietnam's unique poetry singing art - The last Ca Tru artisans – keepers of heritage - The đàn đáy – the soul instrument of Ca Tru - Hanoi's Old Quarter – a thousand years of cultural memory