Don Ca Tai Tu

Bac Lieu is hailed as the cradle of Don Ca Tai Tu because the region produced many pioneering artists, including the gifted composer Cao Van Lau (affectionately known as Uncle Sau Lau). For more than a century, his piece “Da Co Hoai Lang” has stood as the cornerstone of Don Ca Tai Tu music and Southern cai luong theatre.
Don Ca Tai Tu remains one of the folk arts that captivates large audiences in Bac Lieu and across other southern provinces and cities. In Bac Lieu, renowned artists such as Ngoc Doi, My Hanh, Giang Tuan, Thach Moly and Minh Chien carry on the legacy; all of them were born and raised here. Thanks to these contributions, Bac Lieu is rightly regarded as the cradle of this art form. In 2013 UNESCO recognized Don Ca Tai Tu as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The movement flourishes province‑wide, from downtown Bac Lieu City to remote rural communes and distant coastal areas. It is a vibrant art form with strong appeal and an indispensable spiritual need for many locals. The city currently hosts 18 active Don Ca Tai Tu clubs. Among them, four artists have been awarded the national title of “Meritorious Artisan”. The city’s movement consistently leads other districts and towns in provincial festivals and contests. Artisan Do Ngoc An from Bac Lieu City says he is bound to this art “like flesh and blood”. After nearly 35 years of devotion, his entire family now practices and sings regularly at home and in city clubs.
Bac Lieu’s Don Ca Tai Tu scene has grown and evolved into a unique tourism product. Day after day, talented performers serenade with songs and melodies, delighting visitors from near and far. Thus, the image of Bac Lieu and its ‘grass‑roots’ world heritage is becoming ever more widely known.