Every weekend afternoon, Bich Cau Dao Quan historical site in Ha Noi comes alive with the sound of the dan day (Vietnamese three-stringed plucked lute) and wooden clappers accompanying ca tru (a traditional Vietnamese chamber music genre featuring female vocals, instrumental accompaniment and rhythmic clappers). For 18 years, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Van Mai and her husband have run a free ca tru class here, quietly helping preserve the heritage.

With more than 200 participants, the 4th Ha Noi Ca tru Festival has become the most widely attended festival of its kind to date, demonstrating the strong revival of Ca tru in the capital city.

At over 70 years old, wounded war veteran and Meritorious Artisan Phung Thi Hong (also known as Phuong Hong) still regularly takes the bus to clubs in Ha Noi and neighbouring provinces and cities to teach the traditional art of ca tru. Despite her age, health challenges or long distances, she still tirelessly nurtures love for ca tru within the community.