Continuing the success of the Hanoi Young Ca Tru Talent Festivals held in 2016, 2019, and 2022, on the morning of September 27, 2025, at the Hanoi Museum, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports officially opened the 4th Hanoi Ca Tru Festival – 2025.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Le Thi Anh Mai, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, noted that this year marks the 16th anniversary since Ca Tru was inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Since then, activities related to Ca Tru have attracted growing public attention, affirming the unique and precious artistic values handed down by previous generations, while also sounding the alarm over the risk of decline facing this art form.
In recent years, Hanoi has actively implemented measures to safeguard and promote the value of Ca Tru heritage. Notably, in 2022, the Hanoi People’s Council issued Resolution No. 23/2022/NQ-HDND dated December 8, 2022, stipulating incentive and support policies for “People’s Artists,” “Meritorious Artists,” artisans, and exemplary clubs in the field of intangible cultural heritage in Hanoi.
Hanoi is currently the locality with the highest number of artisans awarded the honorary titles of People’s Artisan and Meritorious Artisan in the field of intangible cultural heritage nationwide, including Ca Tru performing arts. Across three conferment periods in 2015, 2019, and 2022, a total of 32 Ca Tru artisans were honored (8 People’s Artisans and 24 Meritorious Artisans).
This year’s festival brings together 21 groups and clubs with more than 100 contestants of various age groups, presenting outstanding performances that continue the living flow of a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Contestants range in age from 8 to 86 and come from Ca Tru clubs across the city or participate independently. The total number of participants in the festival, including those supporting the performances, exceeds 200 people.
In addition to general judging criteria such as costumes, performance space, and harmony among performers, specific criteria for each competition category are given special attention. In particular, adherence to traditional styles and forms is emphasized across all categories.
With thorough preparation and an expanded scale, the Hanoi Ca Tru Festival 2025 is expected to discover more talented female vocalists (dao nuong), instrumentalists (kep dan), and ceremonial drummers (trong chau), contributing to the continuation of ancestral traditions in preserving and promoting this precious national heritage.
The festival takes place over two days, September 27 and 28, with competition sessions held at two time slots: 8:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily. The closing ceremony and award presentation will be held on the afternoon of September 28.
The event serves as an opportunity for exchange and learning, while also nurturing young talents and affirming the enduring vitality of Ca Tru in contemporary life.
Thu Trang