According to Ha Ke San, vice chairman of Phu Tho provincial People's Committee, the northern midlands province of Phu Tho has coordinated with relevant agencies to investigate Xoan singing in Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc provinces.
The investigation was made to implement the national programme on the preservation and promotion of Xoan singing.
The result shows that Xoan singing has been preserved in nine districts, 18 communes, and 31 temple gates. Viet Tri city in Phu Tho province is the cradle of this cultural heritage. There are only eight artisans remaining who teach Xoan singing.
To preserve Xoan singing, Phu Tho province honoured 34 artisans and passed suitable preferential policies, creating Xoan clubs to open classes to teach young people; bringing Xoan singing into schools; and upgrade many relics where Xoan singing is performed.
Xoan singing appeared long ago, from when the Hung Kings established the country. Xoan singing was usually organised in front of communal house during the village festivals in the spring, hence it is also called Hat cua dinh (singing in front of the communal house).
Xoan singing is organised not only to entertain villagers and honour the Hung Kings but also to pray for clement weather and good harvests, praise the natural landscapes and depict work and daily activities in rural areas.