On September 27, the Ha Noi Department of Culture and Sports launched the 4th Ha Noi Ca tru Festival 2025 at the Ha Noi Museum.
In recent years, Ha Noi has undertaken numerous initiatives to revive the art of Ca tru. Since Ca tru was inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, the community has shown increasing interest in this unique and precious artistic legacy and has undertaken activities to safeguard and promote its values. With the city’s support, numerous Ca tru clubs and guilds have been established.
According to Le Thi Anh Mai, Deputy Director of the Ha Noi Department of Culture and Sports, in 2022, the municipal People’s Council issued Resolution No. 23/2022/NQ-HDND dated December 8, 2022, providing preferential treatment and support for “People’s Artists”, “Meritorious Artists”, artisans, and outstanding clubs in the field of intangible cultural heritage. This Resolution, covering Ca tru and other intangible cultural heritage, has offered significant advantages and have been positively received by the community.
Ha Noi has the highest number of artisans conferred with the honorary titles of People’s Artisan and Meritorious Artisan in the field of intangible cultural heritage, including the performing art of Ca tru. Across three rounds of recognition in 2015, 2019 and 2022, 32 Ca tru artisans (8 People’s Artisans and 24 Meritorious Artisans) have been honoured.
The 4th Ha Noi Ca tru Festival aims to continue conserving and promoting the value of this unique art form; encouraging the teaching and practice of Ca tru at the grassroots level; identifying and nurturing young talent; and providing opportunities for Ca tru clubs and enthusiasts in Ha Noi to showcase their abilities, exchange knowledge, and strengthen their expertise.
The organisers received registrations from 21 Ca tru groups and clubs in the city, with many collective singing and dancing performances and 105 contestants competing in individual categories. Contestants ranged in age from 8 to 86, representing both Ca tru clubs and independent practitioners.
The total number of participants, including those supporting contestants, exceeded 200.
The Ha Noi Ca tru Festival 2025 takes place over two days, on September 27–28, 2025.
