The Hanoi ca tru singing festival 2012 will take place at the Temple of Literature o­n December 20 and 21.

In 1991, the Hanoi ca tru singing club was established and drew the participation of several elder artisans to popularize ca tru singing to domestic and international visitors. Based o­n effective activities of the Hanoi ca tru singing club, the first seminar o­n Hanoi ca tru singing was held in 1999, and theHanoi ca tru festival opened in 2000. Ca tru singing was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent protection o­n October 1st 2009.

This festival will be held by the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promote the potential and effectiveness of the Hanoi ca tru singing club. It aims to investigate and preserve ancientca tru songs in danger of being lost and encourage ca tru singing clubs in the city to investigate the lists of ancient ca tru songs that are the strength of the clubs to further practice and perform.

The event will be also an opportunity for artisans and lovers of ca tru singing to have an exchange. It will also be an activity of the capital cultural sector to follow through o­n the commitment to UNESCO to preserve this intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent protection.