Buzz
The thriving Hoi An port, once a bustling urban center, not only charms visitors with its tranquil, timeless beauty but also serves as a destination with traditional imprints in various forms of folk art.
Folk Artistic Creation
Folk artistic creation broadly refers to the use of painting and sculpture to produce aesthetically pleasing and unique works.
Sculptures on stone, wood, or products on porcelain, worship statues,... are traditional cultural features that appeared early in the ancient town of Hoi An. With the rich history of this land, Hoi An is the cradle of many traditional crafts, including carpentry villages, pottery villages, or bronze casting villages,... totaling 12 traditional villages.
Through cultural exchanges, absorbing the essence of leading sculptures worldwide at that time, combined with the creativity of skillful hands, exquisite handmade products were born.
Folk art sculpture has produced artistic masterpieces that not only hold aesthetic value but also contribute to the daily life of people and religious activities. Originating from the early stages of history, initially only on stone, on leaves, gradually on bronze casting, statue crafting,... until now, these products have become witnesses to history, witnessing the ups and downs of time, the fluctuations of history.
Today, these historically significant products are preserved at the Hoi An Museum, which is one of the attractive tourist destinations for art enthusiasts.
Folk Performing Arts
If folk artistic creation leans towards painting and sculpture, folk performing arts are expressions found on traditional stages. Derived from the lives of local residents, these forms of performance are still preserved as an indispensable part of human spiritual life.
As the land of charming songs, traditional chants, and distinctive melodies, Hoi An is most notable for the performance of Chòi singing on the 14th night of each lunar month, often held in public places such as communal yards and fields, and is currently being revitalized.
Additionally, the Thien Cau Dance is one of the unique folk performing arts performed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This dance form bears similarities to Chinese culture, which can be observed in the lion dance performed by children during the Children's Tet festival.
Hat Ba Trao is closely associated with coastal regions, often performed during the ceremony to worship the Whale, praying for favorable weather and calm seas, sung aboard boats.
Folk art forms have existed on the ancient streets of Hoi An like silent witnesses to centuries of history.
Explore more:
- Cau Pagoda in Hoi An
- My Son Sanctuary – Enigmatic Human Heritage
- An Bang Beach – a serene piece of Hoi An tourism
- Discover the little-known 22-billion-year-old Clay Park in Hoi An
