CHAPTER 1: A PASSION FOR CULTURAL HISTORY
The Sound Of Nature Club
The Sound of Nature Club was founded from a passion for Vietnamese traditional instruments and a desire to preserve the unique sounds of our culture. As traditional instruments become rarer, especially among youth and in urban areas, we felt driven to create a welcoming space that celebrates these instruments, presenting them to young Vietnamese with a fresh, engaging perspective.
The Sound of Nature Club aimed to inspire appreciation for traditional music by showcasing Vietnamese instruments and hosting events that deepened cultural understanding. The "Essence of Tradition" performance at May 19th Culture Street in Hanoi, featuring seven instruments, attracted 230 attendees. These events fostered pride in heritage and brought together the community, from young people to artisans, to share a love for music.
The project collaborated with artisans like Vu Do Quang Minh and Dang Hoang to offer 15 exclusive training sessions on traditional instruments, such as the Gourd Zither and Moon lute. These sessions provided members with valuable knowledge and a rare chance to learn directly from master artisans, helping preserve traditional music and pass on skills to future generations.
The club’s podcast, Traditional Vietnamese Instruments, with 15 episodes on Spotify, became a rich, accessible resource that brought traditional music into modern life. This content sparked patriotism, fostered unity, and ensured traditional music remained a bridge across generations and a source of national pride.
At the recent Cultural Festival, The Sound of Nature Club hosted a booth showcasing and selling traditional handmade products to raise funds and promote Vietnamese culture. The booth stood out with intricately crafted brocade pencil cases, unique bamboo dragonflies dressed in brocade fabric, and a vibrant collection of traditional musical instruments like the Moon Lute, Erhu, Gourd Zither. These items not only reflected the artistry of Vietnamese crafts but also shared a unique cultural story with visitors.
The booth quickly captured the attention of many people, especially international visitors. The colorful, unique bamboo dragonflies were particularly popular, with one customer buying 20 as souvenirs. The products sold so well that the club had to request additional supplies from the craft village to meet demand. The brocade pencil cases were another highlight, with many visitors admiring the creativity and craftsmanship in each intricate design, deepening their appreciation for Vietnamese culture.
The booth exceeded expectations by selling out all products, demonstrating the appeal of traditional culture and the love for Vietnamese handmade items. This activity helped the club reach a wide audience, convey the beauty of national culture, and raise funds for future projects aimed at preserving and promoting traditional musical instruments among young people.
"Preserving traditional instruments is not only about safeguarding the sounds of the past but also about extending the heartbeat of culture, bringing the essence of tradition into the rhythm of modern life"
Mot Thoi Con Vuong
The “Mot Thoi Con Vuong” project began as a journey to uncover my roots as an eighth-generation descendant of Emperor Minh Mang. Although I grew up in a royal family, I once found history dry and hard to connect with. However, during a visit to the ancient capital of Hue, I was fortunate to be guided into exclusive royal spaces closed to tourists. Among the historic palaces and silent relics, I felt a deep connection to my family’s heritage, sparking a passion for exploring the history and traditional attire of the Nguyen dynasty.
I brought this passion to life through the “Vietnamese Traditional Costume Promotion” program, held at the pedestrian area around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Alongside my friend Nguyen Minh Ha, we wore Hue royal attire and Nung traditional dress, engaging directly with around 400 international tourists each month. Additionally, I developed content introducing the history, design inspiration, and cultural significance of the Nung ethnic attire. These works led me to complete a magazine on Vietnamese historical costumes, published in 20 issues by the Women’s Publishing House, capturing the beauty of Nguyen dynasty attire and five types of traditional ethnic costumes. To promote the magazine, I organized an online contest, “Vietnamese Traditional Costume Model Search,” on our Fanpage, attracting over 10,000 views and more than 40 contestants. This has been my way of bringing Vietnam’s traditional costumes closer to the modern public.
For me, the “Mot Thoi Con Vuong” project was a way to connect with my past and honor my family’s cultural heritage. Each time I wore traditional attire, I felt I was reliving history, discovering the deep values within our clothing. The project deepened my understanding of my roots and strengthened my love for my heritage.
For the community, the project opened a door to appreciate Vietnamese traditional attire, especially the Nguyen dynasty costumes. Through cultural activities, it fostered national pride, brought traditional clothing into modern life, and promoted heritage preservation, inspiring younger generations to cherish and uphold our cultural legacy.
Moon Lute Portfolio
I created a portfolio featuring the Moon Lute a traditional Vietnamese instrument from Hue’s royal court music, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. I chose the Moon Lute for my portfolio because of my deep love for and commitment to this instrument. As a part of Hue’s royal music, it embodies rich traditional culture, and learning to play it has given me a deeper appreciation of my national heritage.
I also wanted to explore the fusion of tradition and modernity by mixing the Moon Lute with the guitar in the song “Hello Vietnam.” This approach not only honors the traditional instrument but also serves as a bridge to bring Vietnamese music closer to international audiences.
I also wanted to explore the fusion of tradition and modernity by mixing the Moon Lute with the guitar in the song “Hello Vietnam.” This approach not only honors the traditional instrument but also serves as a bridge to bring Vietnamese music closer to international audiences.