Visitors to Hanoi can enjoy the ancient art of Ca Tru at a newly opened theater. Do Thi Tham reports.

Efforts to revive Ca Tru – A haunting form of Vietnamese traditional music – have gotten a boost with the April 2009 opening of a new Ca Tru Theater in Ha Noi. The opening event was attended by three veterans of the art: Vu Van Hong, aged 90, Nguyen Thi Sinh, 87, and nguyen Phu De, 86.
While there are many forms of Ca tru, the best known type involves a female singer playing a bamboo percussion instrument accompanied by a man playing the dan day, a long, three – stringed lute. Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is petitioning UNESCO to grant Ca Tru world cultural Heritage status.
Located in the Thang Long cultural Centrer, the new theatre features seating for 100 guests    And modern sound and lighting systems. “Coming to the Center visitors will be introduced to the culture, history and development of Ca Tru via text, picture galleries and displays”, say the Center’s director, Ms. Nguyen Lan Huong. Guests will then be invited to attend a Ca Tru performance.
The theatre’s troupe includes 15 artists under the guidance of experienced  Ca Tru performance Ms. Bach Van. Famous Ca Tru players such as Vu Van Hong, Nguyen Thi Sinh and Do Thi Song will serve as consultants. Audiences can also look forward to special appearances by guest performance from Hai Phong, Nghe An, Ha Noi, and Lo Khe village.
As well as bringing  Ca Tru to a wider audience, the theater will continue to train a new generation   
Of artists. Following the theater’s opening, the Thang Long Centre welcomed professors and researchers attending the 12th UNESCO – University and Heritage forum in Hanoi.

When: 4.45pm, 6pm, 7.15pm daily.
Shows run for: 45 minutes
Tickets: VND 35,000