Proposing Some Measures to Preserve and Develop Hue Singing Art

It is noteworthy that Hue still maintains the harmony between the ancient and the modern, between artificial elements and the natural environment[43].

Hue city in particular and Thua Thien Hue in general have undergone tremendous changes after 35 years since the country's reunification. Hue has become the first land to have world heritage (both tangible and intangible), becoming a typical Festival City of Vietnam. Hue has gradually reasserted its position as a cultural, scientific, educational and medical center of the whole country. It is clear that in that change in position, cultural heritage plays a decisive role. Cultural heritage is the foundation for developing the service tourism industry, a key economic sector in the current economic development structure of Thua Thien - Hue. However, it is also clear that, along with changes and developments, the heritage city of Hue is facing enormous challenges.

Regarding the policies of Hue city in particular, the city has issued a scientific and detailed plan for the management, preservation, conservation and promotion of the value of the heritage system, however, these planning projects are still weak and lacking. The plan has shown that the massive development of urban infrastructure and high-rise buildings on the southern bank of the Perfume River with many hotel, office, supermarket projects, etc. has created great pressure on the ancient urban area on the northern bank and the mausoleums, temples along the banks of the Perfume River, especially affecting the performance space of Hue singing art on the Perfume River. These pressures have sometimes caused strong reactions from researchers and public opinion in general, such as the Vong Canh Hill tourist area project, Con Da Vien, Hoang De Hotel... In the last 6 consecutive sessions (from the 28th session in 2004 to the 32nd session in 2009), the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has made recommendations to Hue due to the poor management of urban infrastructure development and the lack of a comprehensive management program for heritage sites. This is truly an alarming situation for the heritage city of Hue.

Another very important thing is the impact of the tourism-service industry on heritage conservation. Cultural heritage is the main target of this economic sector (which is currently identified as the spearhead economic sector of the province), so the expansion and development of the tourism-service economy will certainly require the building of a close relationship between the two sides. In the future, the tourism-service industry will not only know how to exploit heritage but also have the responsibility to preserve and honor heritage. That is also the best way to maintain a harmonious relationship between conservation and development.

From these characteristics, the preservation and promotion of Hue cultural heritage, including Hue singing, in a sustainable manner requires investment in research and scientific implementation, in accordance with the process of economic integration and cultural exchange. This task has been assigned to

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Hue Monuments Conservation Center. In recent years, the Monuments Conservation Center has

Pay attention to international exchange and cooperation to attract the attention and funding of the international community for Hue heritage, contributing to the preservation and sustainable development of the ancient capital of Hue. The Center has done the following:

Firstly, implementing the foreign policy of the Party and State in the trend of integration and development. The Center has proactively promoted cooperation and foreign relations with over 20 international and non-governmental organizations; thereby receiving support in many aspects of finance, technical means, scientific knowledge (worth nearly 6 million USD), including major cooperation programs that attract public attention such as: Hue relic research program and Can Chanh Palace restoration research in collaboration with the Institute of Heritage of Waseda University - Japan, Nha Nhac conservation project funded by the Japanese Government entrusted through UNESCO, ...

Second, the Center also coordinates with domestic and foreign partners to organize and participate in many domestic and international scientific conferences to share knowledge and professional experience. The Center has successfully organized dozens of international and regional conferences and seminars in Hue such as seminars on the conservation of Nha Nhac, Han Nom cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism development in Thua Thien Hue in Hue, providing more scientific and practical bases for the preservation and promotion of Hue cultural heritage, including Hue singing.

Third, scientific research activities at Hue relic site have also been implemented synchronously and extensively, gathering the participation of research institutes, universities, museums and prestigious scientists at home and abroad. More than 150 project files, tens of thousands of files on artifacts have served the work of project establishment, conservation planning, relic ranking files, files submitted to UNESCO for ranking tangible and intangible heritage; researched and published more than 30 works on Hue relics, organized dozens of exhibitions and performances of Nha Nhac at home and abroad that were recognized and highly appreciated; propaganda work to introduce and promote Hue cultural heritage has been focused.

In the future, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center will continue to preserve and promote the value of heritage in a sustainable and international standard manner. In addition to the Government's attention and investment, the Center and the provincial government also call for support and investment in cultural heritage from domestic and foreign organizations and enterprises according to bilateral and multilateral cooperation and coordination programs, to join hands to build Hue to be worthy of becoming a cultural and tourism center and also a standard center for heritage conservation of the country and the region.

With new favorable conditions, with the foundations and mettle that have been tested over hundreds of years, Hue has great potential to both develop and preserve the unique identity of a heritage city. However, whether that can be achieved or not requires the dedication, talent and intelligence of many people. It is undeniable that the central government, ministries and branches play a great role, along with the support of international friends, but it can be affirmed that only Hue people can decide their own future.

3.3. Proposing some measures to preserve and develop Hue singing art

3.3.1. Strengthening in-depth research work

Along with Northern Ca Tru and Southern Don Ca Tai Tu, Hue Ca is one of the three most developed chamber music genres in the Vietnamese traditional music repertoire.

Nowadays, the art of Hue singing is increasingly being commercialized, gradually losing its inherent values. This situation requires us to quickly take measures such as collecting, researching, and preserving Hue singing as a valuable cultural asset of the nation. Therefore, providing deeper and more well-founded understanding of some issues of Hue singing not only contributes to meeting that urgent need but also contributes to the restoration and revival of Hue singing art and activities.

From the true values of Hue traditional music, relevant agencies, dedicated people, musicians, artists, actors... of Hue singing need to pay attention to feasible measures in preserving and promoting, contributing to improving the performing arts and the art of composing Hue lyrics.

First, it is necessary to develop a plan to collect books, paintings, photos, films, music tapes, records..., and proceed to document musical works to organize conservation programs, and at the same time duplicate documents for storage, circulation, and prevention of loss or misplacement.

To effectively implement that plan, the state needs to build a Center for the preservation and research of Hue folk songs, where leading scientists, artisans, and people passionate about Hue folk songs gather to regularly verify the melodies and lyrics in order to promptly correct, revise, and even remove unnecessary errors, avoiding adaptations to minimize the impact on the original value of Hue folk songs.

In addition to the work of collecting and editing the content of old lyrics by many previous authors and anonymous authors - which is one of the focuses to preserve and promote ancient capital, there needs to be a plan to mobilize literati and poets to compose new lyrics suitable for life.

Contemporary music based on ancient melodies contributes to enriching the content of Hue singing without losing the traditional value of Hue singing.

In addition, it is necessary to compile and publish Hue singing publications based on approaching artisans and living witnesses who have knowledge of this musical genre by taking photos and filming their performances and lyrics. Because the artisans of the past have passed away one by one, it is a great loss for the country's traditional music. There are not many Hue singing artisans who can teach and perform today, most of them are old and not as clear-minded as before. Therefore, it is necessary to exploit their valuable skills, techniques and experiences. If this work is carried out soon, even when this generation of artisans has passed away without having time to teach the next generation, we will still have their source of tapes and discs to train future generations.

On the other hand, it is also necessary to pay attention to collecting and restoring performance costumes, Hue singing performance spaces, etc. In recent years, the performance costumes of young artists have been modified in terms of color and style to create more appeal and appeal to contemporary audiences. Therefore, if we advocate restoring traditional Hue singing in its true sense, everything needs to start from the smallest steps such as choosing costumes. Restoring Hue singing must follow strict rules, which is an extremely necessary task. If we are lenient in any step of the preservation process, we will create a "new tradition" without fulfilling the original purpose. This will lead to a distorted perception of this traditional art form in the public's enjoyment.

3.3.2. Expand and develop training

3.3.2.1. Bringing Ca Hue into the school environment

In order for Hue singing to be preserved and developed sustainably, there must be generations to inherit the achievements of their ancestors. One of the first tasks of preservation is to have an educational program in schools through illustrated talks and art performances, because if we want new generations to have a passion for traditional music, we must first help them understand the basics and orthodox features of Hue music. It is even possible to move towards introducing traditional music - including Hue folk music - as a subject that must be studied in the general school environment. As some researchers have said: "Whether or not the ancient capital will last depends on the depth of training and the breadth of education, on the correct concept of preservation in training and the scale of popularization of education" [5]. Do not think that it is difficult, or that if students do not like it or do not have the talent, they cannot learn it! The important thing is that we orient and have a plan.

plans and programs suitable for children in general schools. According to researcher Bui Trong Hien: "Education and coercion", and: "learning a lot must go from involuntary to voluntary". Of course, if you want children to be passionate and love music, you must guide them to feel and enjoy it along with learning, you cannot force them to do it too hard, so you should apply the method of both studying and playing depending on their age[5].

But to train a class of true Ca Hue artists and artisans, it is necessary to open training programs according to specialized models, that is, the teaching and learning of Ca Hue must be institutionalized so that the transmission of values is not interrupted over time.

Training in a specialized model means that students only come to class to learn about music in general and Hue singing in particular, without having to learn other unnecessary knowledge subjects. Such training method will certainly bring high efficiency, while minimizing costs and training time.

Regarding teaching methods, it is necessary to maintain and respect the oral method, passing on the craft through the teaching method of "hand-holding and finger-pointing". That means the artisans will teach themselves how to play the drums, play the instruments, tap each beat, sing each word to the students, and teach the students how to use the instruments, how to place their hands, and how to hold the instruments properly. It can be said that this is a way of teaching "from heart to heart", "from profession to profession". With that teaching method, the students can devote almost all their energy to directly feeling and grasping all the subtle nuances of the work from the teacher, from the scale, the way of operating the melody, the way of decorating the notes to the steps of the rhythm.

Currently, the teaching of Hue singing in some schools is applying the borrowed system of Western music notation, causing students to be heavily dependent on symbols, they cannot devote all their energy to absorbing the subtle nuances of the work from the teacher - nuances that cannot be symbolized on the music sheet. That constraint will inevitably eliminate the improvisation and creativity of the artist. Hue singing artists are not only those who sing purely, but they also have to be those who can convey the soul of poetry, music and painting to the public, and at the same time are the hyphens connecting the traditional source of their ancestors to the contemporary era. Therefore, promoting improvisation and creativity in general and in studying Hue singing in particular is very necessary.

In addition, training must always go hand in hand with quality. It is impossible to train massively and quickly, producing artists who do not meet the standards. Training classes need to be opened continuously, avoiding interruptions because Hue singing is a difficult art form, difficult for both learners and teachers. In professional schools, excellent students should be selected and sent to

Learn more from the artisans, stay close to them to grasp the techniques - vibrato, emphasis, vibrato, breath, and word release of the elders, that, to some extent, preserves the quintessence of the ancient capital. Train the children to listen and remember the pitch and rhythm of folk music pieces accurately, combine the use of scientific means such as listening, analyzing the pieces of the artisans on tapes and CDs, to be able to create their own playing style, and absorb the music and breath of the elders. Currently, a large group of students are studying at the Hue Institute of Music, Hue School of Culture and Arts, or being trained at the Hue Opera and Drama Theater, Hue Traditional Royal Art Theater, which are the next generation to supplement the artist force in Hue. The group of old master artisans in Hue singing such as Minh Man, Mong Diep, Thanh Huong, Thanh Tam, Chau Dinh, ... are now old but their passion for Hue singing is still as deep as ever. Through concrete actions, they have passed on the secrets and techniques of performing Hue singing to the next generation of elite artists such as Khanh Van, Lan Phuong, Ngoc Binh, Kieu Oanh, Thu Hang, Bach Hac... and currently, in Hue, there is a large team of young artists studying Hue singing to enrich this art form. Hopefully, this next generation of artists will continue to develop and preserve Hue singing better and better.

3.3.2.2. Maintain and replicate the Club model

In Hue, besides traditional art theaters, many Hue singing clubs have been formed, including Hue singing clubs for teenagers and students. Therefore, in addition to Hue art universities and Thua Thien Hue Culture and Arts School, relevant agencies need to pay attention to helping create conditions for artisans to participate in oral teaching at private homes or clubs. This team has made great contributions in recent years to training a number of children who are passionate about Hue traditional music.

Not only that, the development of Hue singing clubs also helps Hue singing become known to many people, helping those who love this art form have a place to exchange and gain experience with each other. This will help Hue singing not only not to be lost but also to develop in both quantity and quality.

3.3.2.3. Public outreach

Introducing Hue singing to the public through publications, thematic discussions, and annual talks on traditional music is also very important, because it raises the public's level of enjoyment, arousing the love of traditional music among the people. It is especially necessary to conduct talks with the young generation to find out their thoughts on Hue singing, attracting them to this traditional art form, because

Perhaps they will be the generation that continues the career of keeping the Hue singing alive and protecting Hue singing. Therefore, it is necessary to attract them to love and be passionate about it, and then they will have the awareness to learn and practice the traditional profession of their ancestors, while at the same time raising their responsibility in preserving and promoting the great values so that this art form will not be lost.

On the other hand, it is necessary to identify that the audience is also an important step in preserving the national heritage. Organizing many Hue singing performances in many places in the streets, villages, schools ... must be considered as a task of "audience training". In fact, in the recent Hue Festivals, community stages introducing Hue traditional music have attracted a relatively large number of viewers of many different ages. From that reality, it can be seen that if Hue singing has more access to the public, the number of audiences coming to Hue singing will increase day by day.

3.3.3. Establishment of Hue Music Museum

In the long term, Hue needs a music museum. Currently, documents on Hue singing and musical instruments of many generations of famous musicians are scattered among the people, at risk of being forgotten and damaged.

Therefore, along with research and collection, it is necessary to promote the establishment of a museum to store things related to Hue singing to preserve valuable artifacts of Hue singing. The museum will preserve musical instruments, costumes, songs, melodies, audio and video recordings, documents, historical records about Hue singing from the past to the present, even images or anecdotes related to Hue singing... Only then will the public have a deeper insight into Hue singing, and from there have the responsibility to preserve this ancient cultural capital from being lost. The formation of a music museum will contribute to preserving the valuable assets and documents of artists and artisans, and through the music museum will help future generations understand, love music and be aware of preserving the artistic values left by their ancestors.

3.3.4. Expanding performance space

In the traditional Vietnamese music, in general, each genre has its own life. In which, the performance environment as well as the social function are always considered as the characteristics of each genre. That organic relationship makes each music genre here not only the music of the stage but also the music of life. That is, they do not exist as a purely performing musical art but are always associated with a specific activity in life. Ca Hue is a proof of that. Ca Hue was born to serve people. Ca Hue was not only performed in the royal court but also performed among the people to serve the daily life of people.

Currently, Hue singing is performed daily in Hue, however, in order for Hue singing to reach all regions in the country and internationally, in addition to performing Hue singing in theaters, clubs, hotels and on the Perfume River, further expanding the performance space is one of the necessary tasks to effectively exploit Hue singing in tourism.

This solution can be implemented by increasing the performance of Ca Hue at cultural and artistic festivals throughout the country or more actively participating in traditional art festivals between countries in the region and the world. Through cultural exchanges with other countries or tours, Ca Hue will become more and more known, and it is very likely that many of them will come to Hue to learn more about the land that nurtured this art form. In addition, listening to Ca Hue while visiting the garden house, immersing yourself in the poetic and lyrical space of the Hue garden house and enjoying Ca Hue will certainly bring visitors very unique experiences, different from listening to Ca Hue on the Perfume River. Besides, it is also possible to bring Ca Hue to other regions of the country, to famous tourist destinations so that more and more people can enjoy this art form. For example, listening to Hue folk songs on the Mekong Delta river will certainly be as enjoyable and attractive as floating on a dragon boat on the Perfume River.

It can be said that the efforts in the conservation and performance of tourism workers are aimed at bringing tourists the true values of Hue singing when enjoying it, feeling the goodness and beauty, and at the same time keeping in their hearts a deep impression of a unique art form of the nation. It can be said that the greatest consequence of expanding the performance space is to introduce the image of Hue singing to tourists from all over the world, awakening the need to enjoy Hue singing in its homeland. From there, the number of tourists coming to Hue singing will increase, contributing significantly to promoting local tourism in particular and Vietnam's tourism industry in general.

3.4. Solutions to improve the quality of Ca Hue services on the Huong River

Currently, performing Ca Hue on the Perfume River is almost the main service providing tourists with the opportunity to enjoy Ca Hue - one of the unique traditional arts of the nation. Therefore, in the part of solutions to improve the quality of exploiting Ca Hue in tourism, the topic will focus on solutions to improve the quality of Ca Hue performance services on the Perfume River.

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