The Vietnam Folklore Arts Association has conferred the title of Folklore Artist on nine people for their contribution to folklore literature and arts.

The presentation was made at a ceremony in Hanoi on Dec. 27.

Seven artisans from Hung Yen province had contributed to singing and teaching ‘trong quan’ singing. They are Nguyen Huu Bon, Nguyen Thi Thoc, Le Thi Lam, Bui Van Binh, Le Xuan Mau, Nguyen Thi Dua, andNguyen Thi Thanh Xuyen.

‘Trong quan’ singing, which appeared first in the Tran Dynasty (13th century), is popular in the northern provinces of Vietnam . Accompanied by the trong dat (earth drum), trong quan is a call-and-response between boys and girls, often sung during Mid-autumn festivals, where boys and girls gather to celebrate the full moon. The songs are about the friendship or courtship.

The two other artisans are Bui Ngoc Thai from Dan Phuong district of Hanoi, for talent in gastronomy, and Nguyen Van Thuc, from Hoa Binh province, for his contributions to singing and teaching folklore music.

This annual award recognises creative talent which contributes to preserving and promoting the values of folklore literature and arts in Vietnam .

"The best way to preserve and promote the values of cultural heritage is to teach them to our children and grandchildren," said association chairman To Ngoc Thanh.

More than 100 artisans nationwide have been conferred with the title "Folklore Artist".

At the ceremony, the association also recognised several folklore works. None of the books received first prize. Three second prizes went to Loi Tien Hon Nguoi Chet Len Troi Cua Nguoi Thai Trang o Lai Chau ( White Thai People's Goodbye to the Dead People's Soul to the Heaven) written by Do Thi Tac; Le Hien Te Trau cua Nguoi Cham Ninh Thuan (Buffalo Sacrifice Ceremony of the Cham people in Ninh Thuan) written by Hai Lien; and Lich su Van hoa Vietnam-Van hoa tien Dai Viet, van hoa Cham va van hoa Phu Nam (Vietnamese Cultural History, Culture of pre-Dai Viet, Cham culture and Phu Nam culture) of Kieu Thu Hoach./.