The Enduring Appeal of “Tai Tu Mien Vuon”

(DTO) On August 8, at its Cao Lanh facility, Dong Thap Newspaper and Radio, Television officially opened and began filming the Starting Round of the sixth season of the “Tai Tu Mien Vuon.” 

The atmosphere was lively and warm, drawing hundreds of contestants from provinces and cities across the country to pursue their passion for Southern Vietnamese don ca tai tu and cai luong. 

AN ENDURING APPEAL AND A TRADITION PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS 

After six seasons, “Tai Tu Mien Vuon” continues to affirm its place as a meaningful cultural platform, earning the affection and enthusiastic support of the public. This year’s auditions attracted a large number of participants. What is particularly touching about this season is the wide range of contestants’ ages. 

From contestants in their 60s and 70s who remain deeply passionate about the art form, to children just a few years old who have already fallen in love with every vong co melody, the diverse age range is a testament to the enduring appeal of the show. Seeing contestants in their 70s make the more-than-five-hour journey from Ca Mau to Dong Thap to take part in “Tai Tu Mien Vuon” is a vivid reflection of that appeal. 

Ho Van Trang, 73, from Tran Phan Commune, Ca Mau Province, said: “I have loved don ca tai tu and cai luong since I was young and have been devoted to this art form for more than 40 years. I am now a member of the Don Ca Tai Tu Club in Tran Phan Commune, where I mainly play the guitar with scalloped frets. Whenever we have the chance, my neighbors and I get together to play and sing for fun. For me, don ca tai tu is not only a source of joy but has also been part of my life for decades. I have known about the show for a long time, but this year was the first time I had the chance to travel with three neighbors from Ca Mau to Cao Lanh to compete. At my age, I am not focused on winning a prize. What matters is having the chance to pursue my passion, bring my songs to a bigger stage and meet others who share the same love for this art. I hope meaningful platforms like this will inspire younger generations to continue loving and preserving the cultural heritage passed down by their ancestors.” 

One of the youngest contestants, Le Ngoc Khanh Vy, born in 2018 and living in Cao Lanh Ward, Dong Thap Province, excitedly shared: “I have loved cai luong since I was little, so as soon as I heard about the show, I asked my mom to sign me up. On the morning of the competition, we woke up at 5 a.m. to get ready. When I arrived at the studio and saw so many people, I felt nervous but really excited. I hope I can sing well and receive feedback from the artists so I can learn and improve my singing.” 

Taking part in the show for the first time, Ngo Thu Tha, from Rach Gia Ward, An Giang Province, said: “I learned about the launch of season six through the Facebook page of Dong Thap Television and immediately registered because I wanted to meet and learn from other performers from different provinces and cities. After following the show over several seasons, I feel that it is a high-quality and meaningful platform for people who have fallen in love with don ca tai tu and cai luong. To prepare for this round, I also took the initiative to improve my knowledge of traditional musical forms and ly melodies.” 

It is clear that traditional art continues to quietly yet strongly live on from one generation to the next. Rather than focusing on competition or winning and losing, “Tai Tu Mien Vuon” has, through each season, become a warm gathering place where performers can showcase their talents while helping spread the art of don ca tai tu and cai luong. 

PRESERVING THE SINCERE “FEELING” IN EVERY SONG 

At the Starting Round, contestants perform either two vong co lines or no more than two sections of a traditional bai ban to composition as solo pieces. The judging panel, consisting of People’s Artist Huu Quoc and Meritorious Artist Ngoc Huyen, will select the 30 most outstanding singers to advance to the Takeoff Round. With a large number of applications but only a limited number of spots, the judges face considerable pressure in making their selections. 

Speaking about the judging criteria, the panel emphasized that the show is not looking for singers who focus too heavily on technical skills. At the heart of “Tai Tu Mien Vuon” are spontaneity, simplicity, natural voices and the genuine “feeling” conveyed through every song. 

Serving as a judge, People’s Artist Huu Quoc shared: “I am very happy to continue serving as a bridge for those who love the music of Southern Vietnam. What is most touching about this season is the diversity in the contestants’ ages, from primary school students to contestants in their 60s and 70s who remain deeply passionate about the art. This shows that don ca tai tu and cai luong are not merely forms of entertainment, but have become deeply rooted in the lives of generations.”

“With so many applications but only 30 contestants advancing, the pressure on the judges is tremendous. Our criteria go beyond technical ability. We look for simplicity, spontaneity and ‘feeling’ in each performance. Contestants should sing with the same sincerity and naturalness they would show when performing at home or in their communities. When a song comes from genuine love, it can easily touch the hearts of both the audience and the judges.” 

Returning to the show as a judge, Meritorious Artist Ngoc Huyen said: “I am very happy to see the sixth season of ‘Tai Tu Mien Vuon’ continue to receive such strong affection from audiences, demonstrating the enduring appeal of don ca tai tu and cai luong. On this stage, I hope contestants will sing with confidence, first and foremost to fulfill their passion. Not everyone has the opportunity to perform on a professional stage with the support of a live band and experienced artists. The beauty of don ca tai tu lies in its simplicity, naturalness and emotional depth.”

“Contestants do not need to try to sing exactly like professional artists. What matters most is preserving their own voice and sincerity in every line. In particular, the large number of young contestants this season is very encouraging, showing that younger generations are continuing to inherit and preserve the traditional cultural beauty of the region.” 

After six seasons, “Tai Tu Mien Vuon” is no longer simply a televised entertainment show. It has truly become a “shared home” and a familiar cultural space for people across Southern Vietnam. The show’s enduring vitality over the years is vivid proof that traditional art has never faded away. Instead, it continues to flow steadily through generations, from silver-haired performers to young hearts filled with childhood dreams. 

Through this platform, the show not only seeks talented voices but, more importantly, helps preserve, promote and pass on the values of the nation’s intangible cultural heritage. After each season, those sweet melodies continue to follow the performers back to the fields and villages, enriching the lives of the people in the Pink Lotus Land, known for its warmth and hospitality. 

BY THU HOAI - MY LY - LE MINH - VAN THAO
Translated by ANH DUC