Vietnamese Music, Poetry, and Culture Garden: The Vietnamese Art of Poetry Recitation

The Vietnamese’s love for poetry is manifest in the Vietnamese art of poetry recitation. It is an art form that is somewhat of a cross between singing and reading. The Vietnamese word for this art form is “ngâm thơ”. A good poetry recital will breathe life and soul into the poem, and give insights into the poet’s feelings, and thoughts. Unlike a song which has musical notes that the singer has to sing to, a poem recitationer has total freedom to recite the poem however she wants.

Several Viet poetry recital artists have been able to make a living from reciting famous poems and make them available for public consumption. They are often invited to parties and ceremonies for their skills in poetry recitation. Professional recitals, put on tape or CD, often include accompanying music which not only enhance the iistener’s eperience but is usually a necessary element to set the mood for the poem recital experience. The instruments used include the flute, guzheng (đàn tranh), gourd lute (đàn bầu), and sometime the classical guitar.