Gathering in the serene gardens of Thu land

Amidst the joyful atmosphere of the 2024 “Ripe fruit season” festival, provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized the 2024 provincial “Don ca tai tu” (southern folk opera) festival. With elaborate preparation and captivating performances, participating units brought the audience a spectrum of emotions deeply imbued with the flavors of the Southern region during the harmonious gathering in Thu land's verdant gardens.

Gathering in serene gardens

The “Don ca tai tu” festival during the 2024 “Ripe fruit season” festival lasts for 5 days (from June 17th to 21st), drawing the participation of 17 “Don ca tai tu” clubs from districts, cities within the province and neighboring provinces such as Dong Nai, Tien Giang, Tay Ninh, Can Tho, Long An, Binh Phuoc and Binh Thuan. With the passion of folk singing, affection for Binh Duong and enthusiasm for the festival atmosphere, participating units brought numerous songs that deeply resonated with southern flavors during the harmonious gathering in Thu land's beautiful gardens. These songs have contents praising the beauty of the ripe fruit season, the unique value of the art of “don ca tai tu”, praising the homeland, and the results achieved from the campaign of "Studying and following Uncle Ho’s teachings” in localities...

An item of “Tham me que huong” (Visiting homeland) in the Southern style being performed by Huynh Nga, Phuong Trinh from provincial Cultural Center was showcased

Sharing with us about his happiness when participating in this renowned festival, Pham Van Lo, Head of the “Don ca tai tu” club under Dong Nai provincial Cultural and Cinema Center said that the unit assembled a diverse group of artists and performers from 23 to 75 years old, including folk artisans, winners of the Golden Rice Awards, the Vong Co Golden Bell competition, for intensive rehearsals over several days. Their program consisted of 6 performances: “Di san dat phuong Nam” (Southern heritage), “Co gai ban sau rieng” (The girl selling durian), “Niem vui ngay mua” (Joy of the harvest season), “Vang khuc ca xuan” (Resounding spring songs), “Dong Nai ngay moi” (New Day in Dong Nai) and “Tinh dep mua chom chom” (Beautiful love in the rambutan season).

For local residents, enjoying “Don ca tai tu” during these festival days evoked many nostalgic memories. Nguyen Thi Mung (64 years old) from Binh Nham commune’s Binh Thuan ward in Thuan An city, enthusiastically enjoyed authentic folk tunes, praising her homeland where she resides with joy and excitement. She highlighted the distinctive performances at the “Don ca tai tu” festival, which included many songs in praise of Binh Duong, the atmosphere of the “Ripe fruit season” festival, homage to President Ho Chi Minh and models of “Studying and following Uncle Ho” across districts and cities in the province. Additionally, there were “cai luong” (southern traditional music) items glorifying the new-style rural areas, which were very attractive. She hoped that the festival would continue annually so that people could further enjoy the unique cultural values of “Don ca tai tu”.

Satisfying the audience

On the first night of the festival, a large number of local residents and tourists attended the performances of four units, namely “Don ca tai tu” club under Dong Nai provincial Cultural and Cinema Center, “Don ca tai tu” club under Dau Tieng district’s Cultural, Sports and Radio Center, “Don ca tai tu” club under Thu Dau Mot city’s Information - Sports and Cultural Center and “Don ca tai tu” club under Binh Duong provincial Cultural Center.

Minh Duc from provincial Cultural Center’s “Don ca tai tu” club expressed his joy and overflowing emotions when performing in his homeland, singing the song of “Binh Duong mua trai chin” (Binh Duong in ripe fruit season) with singer Ngoc Kieu Oanh amidst the beautiful scenery of Thu land's serene gardens. He was even happier because this year's festival organized by the province included many fruit stalls and attractive cuisine, attracting a large number of participants. Particularly, the “Don ca tai tu” festival during the “Ripe fruit season” festival attracted 17 clubs  in and out of the province. This was an opportunity for everyone to harmonize together, enjoying the unique festive atmosphere during the “Ripe fruit season” festival in Binh Duong, known as the "Good land, birds perch".

In addition to local audiences and tourists, the festival also attracted many YouTubers being “Don ca tai tu” enthusiasts from neighboring provinces and cities who livestreamed to share with fans near and far. Nguyen Tan Du from Binh Phuoc province’s Dong Xoai city shared that he owns a YouTube channel called Tan Co Tan Du with members of Tan Co Viet in Ho Chi Minh city’s Hoc Mon district, Tan Co Thanh Vu in Ho Chi Minh city’s Binh Chanh district... All have great passion about “Don ca tai tu”. Coming to the festival, everyone harvested many beautiful clips, due to the wonderful scenery, sound and lighting of the festival. They also did not hesitate to travel long distances in bad weather conditions to livestream and share with “Don ca tai tu” enthusiasts on various digital platforms.

Reported by Minh Hieu-Translated by Kim Tin