The Hát Đúm Festival in Thủy Nguyên is one of the most distinctive forms of folk cultural activity that continues to be preserved and developed in Hải Phòng today. Taking place annually during the early spring, from the 4th to the 10th day of the first lunar month, in Phục Lễ commune – Thủy Nguyên district, this festival is not only an opportunity for the community to celebrate a rich spiritual life but also a gathering space for romantic love, pride in one’s homeland, and a strong sense of preserving time-honored traditions.
Origins and Cultural Space
Hát Đúm – also known as “hát nói” (spoken singing) – is a form of antiphonal folk singing traditionally performed during spring festivals in the Red River Delta, particularly in the coastal region of Hải Phòng. According to folklore researchers, Hát Đúm originated and developed during the labor and production activities of local people. Over time, it evolved into a communal art form rich in emotional expression and deeply infused with national spirit through every verse and melody.
The three communes of Phục Lễ, Phả Lễ, and Lập Lễ – formerly part of the historical Tổng Phục area – are considered the cradle of Hát Đúm, boasting a large collection of songs with diverse themes and expressive styles. From these roots, Hát Đúm spread widely and became an essential aspect of the spiritual life of Thủy Nguyên's people. The Hát Đúm Festival at Phục Lễ communal house – one of the oldest and largest in the region – is the central venue for singing contests, cultural exchanges, and folk performances during the spring season.
The “Mở Mặt” Festival – A Unique Tradition Associated with Hát Đúm
One of the most special features of the festival is the “Mở Mặt” ritual (literally “Unveiling the Face”). According to tradition, young women from the area, who have covered their faces with a traditional "khăn mỏ quạ" (crow beak scarf) throughout the year, remove it during the festival, revealing their beauty to celebrate spring. This is a time when the young men and women of Tổng Phục meet and engage in lyrical courtship through Hát Đúm performances, forming tender and poetic romantic relationships steeped in rural sentiment.
The courtyard of the communal house, open fields, village roads, and breezy meadows all become impromptu stages for these melodic exchanges. Dressed in traditional attire, young men and women hold hands and sing in response to one another with smooth, metaphorical verses that express their desires for love and union. Thus, Hát Đúm becomes not only a form of art but also a refined mode of communication, reflecting both social life and national spirit.
Rich Structure and Thematic Content
Hát Đúm is more than just a duet between male and female voices; it is a sophisticated system of genres such as greeting songs, congratulatory songs, Q&A songs, riddle songs, response songs, love songs, and wedding songs. Each genre serves a different function, conveying emotions at various levels of intimacy, from casual exchanges to heartfelt confessions. The festival typically concludes with the “hát giã đám” (farewell singing), where feelings reach their climax and songs express longing, promises, and hopes for reunion in the next year’s festival.
The verses are often improvised, free from the rigid rhythms found in other forms of folk music. This spontaneity brings vibrancy and distinct appeal to Hát Đúm, allowing it to evoke genuine, heartfelt emotions and paint vivid pictures of human sentiments in traditional life.
Cultural Heritage and Preservation Efforts
Due to its exceptional artistic and social value, Hát Đúm was recognized by UNESCO in 1989 as a “Living Treasure,” specifically honoring artisans in Lập Lễ – Thủy Nguyên. Moreover, in 2018, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism officially listed Hát Đúm as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Facing the risks of cultural erosion in today’s fast-paced world, Thủy Nguyên has made commendable efforts to preserve and promote this unique folk art. The district has established numerous Hát Đúm clubs across communes, organizes annual competitions during the Lunar New Year, and has even built dedicated performance centers for heritage artists to practice, share, and pass down their craft.
A notable initiative is the integration of Hát Đúm into extracurricular school activities. Artisans are invited to schools to teach and interact with students, fostering cultural pride and ensuring long-term sustainability. Additionally, Hát Đúm is being adapted to contemporary contexts by incorporating modern, relatable content, making it more accessible to younger audiences and reducing the “selective listening” barrier often associated with more archaic melodies.
Contemporary Significance and Spiritual Value
The Hát Đúm Festival is not just a cultural gathering but also a soulful space where the people of Thủy Nguyên express their zest for life, love for their homeland, and deep connection to their roots. Through the ebbs and flows of history, the melodies of Hát Đúm continue to burn like an enduring flame in the hearts of the locals, reigniting each spring and drawing people back to long-cherished values that remain full of life.
In essence, the Hát Đúm Festival is more than a cultural and artistic event. It is a mirror reflecting national traditions, community pride, and a collective consciousness to safeguard intangible heritage amidst globalization. It proves that folk culture can thrive sustainably when embraced, preserved, and innovatively revitalized by the community.