ACH뉴스레터-The Music that Embodies Viet Nam’s Scenery: The Traditional Vietnamese Song “Huong Sen Dong Thap”

The Music that Embodies Viet Nam’s Scenery: The Traditional Vietnamese Song “Huong Sen Dong Thap”

STAGE ASEAN

The Music that Embodies Viet Nam’s Scenery: The Traditional Vietnamese Song “Huong Sen Dong Thap”

Some songs can take you to a place just by listening to them. “Huong sen Dong Thap” by Dang Xuan Khai, a pioneering Vietnamese composer and master of the dan tranh (a traditional Vietnamese instrument), is one such example. “Huong sen Dong Thap” is a traditional song of the country’s southern regions that depicts the image of the lotus flower, the national flower of Viet Nam. It describes a vast lotus field, the scent of lotus flowers blowing in the wind, and the romantic sight of people on a boat picking the flowers. To enjoy this beautiful scenery, scan the QR code and watch a performance of the song on the KF ASEAN Culture House’s YouTube channel.

Dan Tranh
The dan tranh is a musical instrument beloved by all in Viet Nam, from the royal family to the general public. This plate-shaped instrument features 16 s connected to a body made of Paulownia wood. It can be played similarly to Korea’s gayageum and China’s guzheng. Dan tranh ps place the wide end of the instrument at their side. While plucking the with the right hand, the left hand presses or bends the , using the tension to express a range of timbres, grace notes, and microtones.