The musical art of Don Ca Tai Tu is an indispensable part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the southern Vietnamese. Performed at numerous events such as festivals, death anniversary rituals, and celebrations, it is an integral part of other cultural practices and customs.
The folk art is intimately related to oral traditions and handcrafts during the late 19th century. It was popular with visitors both domestically and with Chinese, Khmer, and Western people. Historically, musical art was passed on orally, based on imitation, from master instrumentalists and singers to students. Students needed to study for 3 years to master the basic instrumental techniques and the different musical modes to express different moods and emotions. Vocal students are now taught traditional songs and learn different ornamentation techniques.
The performers improvise, ornament, and change the basic rhythmic patterns to reflect their emotional state. Don Ca Tai Tu is performed on many different instruments, including moon-shaped lutes, two-stringed fiddles, sixteen-stringed zithers, pear-shaped lutes, percussion, monochords, and bamboo flutes.
Music ensembles and clubs perform Don Ca Tai Tu, and the audience can join by practicing, making comments, or creating new songs. The practice is done within hereditary musical families and the audience. Practitioners of don ca tai tu include master instrumentalists (thay don), master lyricists (thay tuong), master singers (thay ca), instrumentalists (danh cam) and singers (danh ca).
Don Ca Tai Tu is practiced in more than 2,500 clubs, groups and families in 21 provinces and cities in the south of Vietnam. The song helps people from the southern part of Vietnam express their feelings and emotions, and industriousness, generosity, and courage.
Since Don Ca Tai Tu performances contribute to the preservation of other cultural practices and customs, such as those associated with festivals, oral culture, and handicrafts, they are considered part of the community. There's no denying that Don Ca Tai Tu contributes to sustainable tourism in the local area, but it's also a part of the culture of the community.