Traditional VN music aims to tackle language barrier
Last week, Viet Nam News asked readers whether English could be a useful way to introduce traditional music, including tuong (classical opera), cheo (popular opera) and cai luong (reformed drama) which is difficult for foreign tourists to enjoy. Below are several responses.
Elizabeth Rathbun, American, Ha Noi
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Your Say
Bia hoi (fresh beer) has long been a popular drink in Viet Nam, especially in urban areas. The beer is typically found in small bars and on street corners. It is brewed daily and delivered to bars in plastic jugs. The beer is not only very light, it is also cheap, which may explain why it is so popular among Vietnamese people.
According to the tourism website www.haivenu-vietnam.com, bia hoi is a "unique kind" of Vietnamese beer that offers drinkers a good opportunity to experience the reality of Vietnamese life first-hand.
Have you ever tasted bia hoi? Do you find it different from the bottled beer in Viet Nam? How is it different? Do you prefer bia hoi to the bottled beer? Why?
Why do you think people in Viet Nam prefer bia hoi?
Do you have anything similar to bia hoi in your home country? What is it like? How do you compare Vietnamese beer to the beer you find in your country?
We welcome your opinions. E-mails should be sent to: opinion.vietnamnews@gmail.com – or faxed to 84-4-39332312. Letters can be sent to: The Editor, Viet Nam News, 11 Tran Hung Dao, Ha Noi. All comments must be received by September 8. |
English may be a useful language, but I think foreigners should learn Vietnamese, if they live or work here. It will help them communicate and understand Vietnamese people's mind and culture.
I'm going to be in Viet Nam for three weeks this year, and I'm really keen to see some cool local music. Traditional arts performances such as tuong, cheo and cai luong are still very popular items in theatres, but foreigners do not understand most of it. Likewise with the only entertainment offered in Hue, nha nhac Hue (Hue royal court music).
Traditional arts performances have too much Vietnamese dialogue for foreign tourists to enjoy. The shows are too long and do not let the artists get close to the audience.
Tran Thu Ha, Vietnamese, California
I went with my friends to the Chuong Vang Theatre last month to watch the King's Fate Opera. But tourist officials say the theatre should do more, given that tourism offers a golden chance to boost business. They want the theatre to reform traditional performances to give foreign tourists some fun.
I think it's difficult for most countries to promote their own traditional arts. However, tourism can promote Viet Nam's traditional arts through performances, but they have to be easy to listen to, easy to understand, and down to earth.
Traditional Vietnamese arts such as tuong, cheo and cai luong create a language barrier for foreigners. Perhaps less words and more action. Theatres have not been co-operative enough in offering products attractive to foreign tourists.
Many theatres only offer what they have, instead of trying to serve customers' interests. They, therefore should study the interests of different groups of tourists and propose suitable performances.
Thus, the safe choice is to choose a puppet show.
Atsuko Toda, Japanese, Ha Noi
I think offering English interpretation along with the Vietnamese traditional folk song performances including tuong, cheo and cai luong could be a useful way to introduce the music to foreign tourists.
One of the barriers stopping Vietnamese music from reaching the world is language. Learning a foreign language is a challenging task, but not as challenging if you are immersed in the culture. One of the issues here is how many expats are truly immersed?
Viet Nam is one of the countries where English has not penetrated deeply. English translations might be helpful in removing the barrier to understanding. However, the theatre should use people who will directly translate the words of the artists.
A 90-minute opera in Vietnamese can make an audience feel tired, especially when they cannot follow the meaning. Viet Nam lags far behind in organising shows for tourists because Government officials from the performing arts sector and tourism sector have not co-operated well.
Local theatres and tour operators have also not worked together possibly because performances are generally not geared toward foreign visitors. The shows are too long and do not let the artists get close to the audience.
Should different shows target tourists from different markets, such as China, South Korea, the United States and Europe?
Dinh Cong Phung, Vietnamese, Ha Noi
Cai luong (reformed drama) is unique to Viet Nam. It is the language and voice that creates the special feeling.
Language also represents national identity and character. It would be hard to maintain the special characteristics of traditional music if it is translated into other languages.
But while language can bar access to traditional cultural art forms, I feel we should help foreigners learn and understand the Vietnamese language so they can be immersed in more of our culture. Translations into other languages will not achieve this.
John MacDonald, Australian, Ha Noi
While my Vietnamese is very primitive, I have no difficulty in enjoying Vietnamese music from ca tru to pop songs. Indeed, my Vietnamese friends are often surprised to find that I not only enjoy the melodies, but the special flavour of local music.
Translations into English, or any other language for that matter, may serve a one-off purpose, but it cannot be considered a serious approach to appreciating a different form of music.
Foreigners who care will learn more of the language and come to understand more of the words behind Vietnamese music in its various forms. In the meantime, as I have indicated, it is possible to dream along listening the most abstract ca tru words, melodies and delicate drumming.
By the way, have you ever heared ca tru? I played some for my friends back in Australia and they were completely entranced by the haunting, soulful tunes. — VNS