Bac Ninh

Unlike the bustling Hanoi next door, Bac Ninh enjoys a more peaceful atmosphere and a rural lifestyle. This land is considered the cradle and preserver of traditional culture in the Northern Delta. Most notably, Quan ho - a folk song genre - has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.

Quan Ho is an intangible cultural heritag recognized by UNESCO. Photo: Vietnamplus

Moreover, you'll have the chance to experience the thousand-year-old customs and traditions of the Vietnamese people, as well as visit ancient temples and traditional craft villages. If you're a culture enthusiast, Bac Ninh is a must-visit destination. Allow Asia King Travel to guide you through it all in this article.

History

More than 3000 years ago, the ancient Vietnamese people settled along Cau and Duong rivers. The discovery of ceramic artifacts and Dong Son bronze drums in this region is evidence of a thriving civilization. During the Chinese rule, Luy Lau citadel became a significant economic and religious center, gradually shaping the culture of the Kinh people.

The province was known as Kinh Bac, a northeastern region outside Thang Long. Bac Ninh Province was officially established in 1831. But later due to some administrative adjustment, some districts were transferred to other provinces and therefore Bac Ninh is the smallest province of Vietnam now.

Do Temple worship 8 Emperors of the Ly Dynasty in their hometown. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspapers

One remarkable fact is that Bac Ninh has produced the highest number of “Trang Nguyen” in Vietnam, despite being the smallest province. “Trang Nguyen” is the title given to the top scholar in the imperial examinations. The province possesses 17 out of 47 Trang Nguyen. Two scholars were even sent as envoys to China and earned the title of “Luong Quoc Trang Nguyen” (Dual-nation Top Scholars). 

Location and How to get there

Bac Ninh is in Red River Delta and neighbors with Long Bien District of Hanoi. Therefore it’s super easy to reach. To get to Long Bien District you can cross Vinh Tuy, Chuong Duong or Long Bien bridges from central Hanoi. From there, you go straight to Tu Son Town in Bac Ninh Province or another 15 kilometers to the provincial city.

Suggested for you: Tho Ha 1-day Tour: Tho Ha Village excursion

Weather and Best time to visit

Bac Ninh experiences four distinct seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter), with a clear temperature difference of 15-16°C between the hot, humid summer and the dry, cold winter. The rainy season lasts from May to September, accounting for 80% of the total annual rainfall.

Don’t forget to visit the craft villages to admire the skillful hands of the artisans. Photo: People and Development

Culture enthusiasts can visit from January to March to experience the festival season, including Dau Pagoda Festival, Lim Festival, Do Temple Festival, etc. While there aren’t many special events in the summer and fall, you can still explore spiritual sites and traditional craft villages in Bac Ninh.

Quan ho

Quan ho folk singing is one of the most iconic folk music styles of northeastern Vietnam, originating from the districts of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang near the Cau River. In 2009, UNESCO recognized Quan ho as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Quan ho singing typically follows a call-and-response style between pairs, usually with a female duo singing with a male duo. Each side has a lead singer and a supporting singer. The technique requires clear enunciation along with precise vocal embellishments, often extending the sounds "ah", "i", or "uh" at the end of phrases. The lyrics are usually drawn from over 400 traditional verses or improvised in response to the other singers.

The male and female singers are engaging in a call-and-response song. Photo: Chinhphu

The attire worn for quan ho singing is also notable. Performers wear easily recognizable traditional clothing. The male singers wear a five-paneled long shirt in blue or black, paired with white trousers and a folded turban on the head. A black umbrella is often carried as an accessory.

The women’s attire is a bit more elaborate. They typically wear three layers of long tunics, with the outermost in brown or black and the two inner layers in brighter colors. Beneath these layers, they wear a pink undershirt. Around their waist, they tie a loose silk sash and wear a long black skirt. They wear a traditional crow-beak headscarf and carry a wide-brimmed hat called “quai thao.”

Quan ho is always taught to future generations. Photo: Lao dong

Quan ho singing is rich in subtlety. The gentle melodies seem to carry the genuine emotions of the singers. The lyrics often convey polite gestures from daily life, like offering tea, betel, or inviting friends over, turning these small acts into poetic expressions.

Lim Festival is the most famous celebration of quan ho folk singing. It is held annually on the 13th day of the first lunar month (around February) on Lim Hill in Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province. During the ceremonial part, singers stand outside the temple gate, praising the deities. For the festival, they board dragon boats and perform on the lake. In the evening, there is a singing competition between quan ho villages.

Quan ho performances on a boat at Lim Festival. Photo: Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism

Conclusion

Bac Ninh is a fantastic destination for those who want to experience traditional Vietnamese culture and listen to the melodious quan ho songs. Not far from Hanoi, it should definitely be on your travel list. Asia King Travel is always ready to help you explore nature and the people of Vietnam.

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