(VOVworld) - It's difficult to preserve traditional cultural heritage without community effort. Over the past few years, a number of heritage items have been promoted thanks to efforts by individuals and organizations who are devoted to preserving traditional cultural heritage values. A Hanoi Heritage Club was established 2 years ago to evoke the passion and desire of young people to preserve and honor traditional cultural values.

Xam singing performed on trams - unique art form on the streets in the past (Photo: vannghequandoi.com.vn)

In recent years, traditional art performances have become popular among culture lovers in Hanoi. Located in a small lane in the capital city, the Hanoi Heritage club is a place where art performances and seminars on cultural heritage take place. Painter, designer Tran Thanh Tung, Head of the club said that in modern times many young Vietnamese people are keen on South Korean movies, European music and the cultures of other countries and have limited knowledge of Vietnamese culture. This encouraged Tung and his friends from the Circle Group, which includes five investment companies specializing in applied fine arts, to establish the heritage club. It gathers young intellectuals who want to contribute to preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture. Painter Tran Thanh Tung said: “Vietnam possesses a great amount of tangible and intangible heritage. We have a group of researchers, including those who want to understand traditional culture. The heritage club was established as a bridge to link  the past, present and future. Through the club, we have the opportunity to access our predecessors’ works and promote them among young people”.  

Last year, the club organized 23 artistic and cultural events including performances of Xam singing on trams, Ha Thanh street culture, Vietnamese lotus and Vietnamese flutes.

With the aim of promoting traditional cultural values among the community, the club has received support from well-known experts such as Professor historian Le Van Lan, Associate Professor Dao Dinh Duc and Critic Nguyen Do Bao. Many artists and painters have visited the club. Painter Thanh Tung again: “The club’s activities have attracted more and more people. Many foreigners who know about Vietnam through mass media, and Internet have shared and provided us with documents and introduced us to new friends. Because of this, we can explore further about our past”.

Performance of dan bau or monochord (Photo: en.wikipedia.org)

The Heritage Club’s activities have expanded. Major programs such as the Bat Trang pottery village of the past and present, reading culture and the youth, and Dan Bau or mono-chord performances, have shown the club’s great contributions and efforts to promote Vietnamese cultural heritage.