“This trip is wonderful. It is exciting to listen to locals singing”, said Heather Berridge, an American tourist, during his visit to Cua Van Floating Cultural Center on Ha Long Bay on the 4th day of the lunar new year.
Being as the furthest tourist attraction on Ha Long Bay, Cua Van Floating Cultural Center is surrounded by tranquil water and mountains. Before Tet, the center had been decorated with peach blossom, flowers, and red lucky envelopes. Staff members also practiced new songs to welcome tourists. Most of visitors to the center are foreigners who want to learn more about Vietnamese customs and habits, especially of fishermen living on Ha Long Bay.
Objects at Cua Van Floating Cultural Center are displayed under themes, namely an overview of Cua Van Floating Village, methods of earning a living, fishermen’s material life, life on water, spiritual life, for now and for tomorrow…However, for many tourists, listening to dual love songs performed by the center’s staff members is the most exciting.
On soft waves of sea water, slow, rustic and lyrical melodies are sung. Sarsar Michael, an American traveler, holds the “phach” (small wooden sticks beaten on a small bamboo platform) while swing himself with the beat. He said “Though I do not understand the lyric, I feel the love of the song. It is smooth and singers’ voice is amazing”.
Cua Van Floating Cultural Center is a popular attraction for travel agencies. Dual love song singing has been known as a highlight on the trips exploring the Ha Long Bay world heritage site.
The number of tourists to Cua Van Floating Cultural Center significantly increased from 4,000 in 2016 to 50,000 in 2019. Dual love song singing shows take place 3-4 times a day or even more, depending on the number of visitors.
Translated by Quynh Trang
