Viet Nam will ask the UNESCO to take the ancient north Vietnamese ca tru form of traditional singing off the list of endangered world cultural heritage.

After five years of training and encouragement, many young people are capable of singing in the traditional style.
Several famous, but elderly performers helped in the reconstruction.

Ca tru features a female singer accompanied by a small group of musicians. It has been popular for more than 500 years.The art genre was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by UNESCO on October 1, 2009.
Originally, it was a form of entertainment for wealthy people and was even performed for royalty.
“Only a decade or so ago, ca tru was an unknown art form to most younger Vietnamese,” . “Few elderly people had seen a performance since they were young. It was basically unknown even in the areas considered cradles of the art. But now, ca tru can be considered popular.
“When it was listed as a dying art, only about 20 people could sing ca tru and there were few skillful musicians. Now about 300 people can sing.
“At first they had only a couple of basic forms of ca tru, but can now perform 11 styles.”
To celebrate the survival of the ancient style of singing known as ca tru, a national festival is being held in Ha Noi.
It is being used to encourage young singers to study and stick with this traditional art.