An evening of ca trù at Kim Ngân Communal House – strolling Hàng Bạc Street, the musical instruments street, Mã Mây ancient house, and a Hanoi food dinner

Introduction

Ca trù was once an elegant pastime of Thăng Long scholars and is now inscribed by UNESCO as heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. The program leads guests through Hàng Bạc Street of Châu Khê silversmiths, Hàng Nón musical instruments street, and Mã Mây ancient house, then sits on mats at Kim Ngân Communal House to hear the phách clappers and đàn đáy.

Highlights

• Hàng Bạc Street and the story of Châu Khê silversmiths establishing a silver-casting guild in the capital
• Hàng Nón musical instruments street: đàn đáy, phách, and trống chầu – the trio that creates the sound of ca trù
• 87 Mã Mây ancient house, a restored tube house, imagining Old Quarter townspeople's life in the late 19th century
• A light dinner with traditional Hanoi dishes
• About one hour of ca trù at Kim Ngân Communal House: female singer, instrumentalist, drummer; guests are served tea
• Meet the artists, try the phách clappers, hold the trống chầu drumstick, and take souvenir photos

Suitable for

• Travelers who love traditional music and intangible heritage
• Travelers staying in the Old Quarter who want a gentle evening walk with cultural depth

Services included

• Vietnamese-speaking guide throughout the journey (English-speaking guide quoted upon request)
• Ca trù performance ticket and tea
• Hanoi food dinner
• Admission to 87 Mã Mây ancient house

Services not included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Additional drinks
• Personal expenses

Some photos: Wikimedia Commons — Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Michael Coghlan (CC BY-SA 2.0); spotter_nl (CC BY 2.0); Benjamin Smith (CC BY-SA 4.0); Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0).