Xam singing, a distinctive form of Vietnamese folk music originating in the Red River Delta, is traditionally performed in public spaces. Today, it has found a new and innovative stage: the double-decker bus. To bring this art form closer to the public, especially younger people, a tour called “Xam on the bus” has been launched, which lets passengers explore Hanoi by night while listening to traditional music.
Visitors explore Hanoi by night while enjoying Xam music performed by young artists. (Photo: Khanh Hoa)
“Xam on the bus” was jointly organized by the Vietnam Sightseeing Double-decker Bus Service and the Centre for the Promotion of Vietnam's Intangible Cultural Heritages. Every Saturday and Sunday evening, tourists can see Hanoi from atop a double-decker bus while enjoying Xam melodies.
“The ‘Xam on the bus’ tour, which lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes, passes by President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. During a 20-minute stop mid-route, the singers pause to talk to the audience,” said Vu An Giang, a member of the organizing board.
Passengers engage in exchanges to learn about Xam singing. (Photo: Khanh Hoa)
The tour is attracting a large number of tourists. Young people in particular find listening to Xam on a moving bus novel and exciting. The Xam song tell stories of everyday life that carry meaningful moral lessons.
“This is a great opportunity to get closer to traditional music while enjoying a view of Hanoi’s streets,” said a young passenger, while another expressed hope for an English version of the program.
Using a double-decker bus as a mobile stage for Xam performances is a creative initiative by Hanoi's tourism industry. It not only helps preserve this traditional art form but also diversifies Hanoi’s night-time entertainment options and attracts more visitors to Hanoi.
“In the future, we’ll focus on preserving cultural values that once thrived in Hanoi, while engaging the younger generations, who must play a role in safeguarding these traditions,” Vu An Giang elaborated.
(Photo: Khanh Hoa)
“In the past, Xam singers performed in public places like markets or on tramcars. In this program, they sing on the bus in order to recreate that old atmosphere,” said Tran Huong Giang, a tour guide of the program.
“Trams no longer exist, but the double-decker bus has some similarities. I think the program is a meaningful way for older generations to relive memories of old Hanoi and for younger generations to get a sense of the cultural atmosphere that used to define Hanoi,” said Xam artist Nguyen Hoang Hiep from the Centre for the Promotion of Vietnam's Intangible Cultural Heritages.