Dum singing in early spring

Dum singing enthralls visitors to Hai Phong's spring festivals

The ancient Tong Phuc region (including villages from the former Thuy Nguyen District's Phuc Le, Pha Le, and Lap Le communes) is considered the cradle of Dum singing among northern coastal residents. From the Lunar January 2, Lap Le, Pha Le, and Phuc Le communes holds its own Dum singing festival. On the Lunar January 4 and 5, all converge for the Tong Phuc region Dum singing festival.

In recent years, Dum singing has been developed widely, winning gold medals at national folk song festivals and international cultural exchanges, bringing great pride to those preserving this national intangible cultural heritage.

Notably, after administrative mergers forming a two-level local government, the ancient Tong Phuc region was consolidated into Nam Trieu Ward, giving residents more opportunities to preserve and promote Dum singing. Local authorities and people are joining hands to protect and promote its values, ensuring the heritage lives on in contemporary life.

Unique artistic features of Tong Phuc region

According to elders in Tong Phuc region, Dum singing dates back over 500 years, originating from the laborious daily lives of locals, whether fishing on boats, working rice fields to ease their hard working days. Thus, Dum singing is not just a folk performance form but the breath of labor and spiritual life for people in the Nam Trieu coastal region.

Starting from the initial Lap Le Traditional Dum Singing Club, over the past decade, Dum singing has revived strongly. In 2019, it was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, further affirming the unique value of this folk song form from Tong Phuc region.

Dum singing has become an inseparable part of the local people’s life. Annually, the local people gather to celebrate spring with their traditional Dum singing. For many people, spring celebrations are inadequate without singing Dum songs.

Hai Phong News