From an early age, Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang (born 1991) grew up surrounded by palettes and paintbrushes, amid lanterns, lion dance heads, and masks in her father’s handicraft workshop in Hoi An Tay Ward (Da Nang City). Today, she is striving to bring the art of mask painting associated with tuong (classical Vietnamese opera) closer to young people and international audiences.

While Viet Nam’s professional classical Vietnamese opera (Tuong) is facing mounting challenges, the enduring presence of amateur Tuong through community-run clubs organised and operated by local residents has created inspiring “playgrounds” and helped extend the art form’s vitality.

A talk show and live performance event entitled Loi Tuong – Young Voices (Tuong Words – Young Voices) was recently held in mid-June in Ha Noi, drawing a large and youthful crowd and leaving a lasting impression on its running.

Tuong — Viet Nam’s traditional operatic art form—once faced the risk of becoming estranged from younger generations amidst the dominance of modern entertainment. Yet, thanks to passion and creativity, many young people are now breathing new life into this heritage by embracing technology, social media platforms, and even blending it with electronic music.