Cheo

Cheo (Vietnamese: Chèo) or popular opera, a traditional stage performance originating in the northern countryside of Vietnam, encompasses the essence of folk ballads and proverbs. It showcases time-tested melodies adapted to modern themes, featuring common motifs of human rights and the battle between good and evil, all expressed through humor and wit.

It has become an integral part of Vietnamese theater, appreciated by people from all walks of life, both locally and internationally, with its rich cultural heritage and strong connection to the Red River Delta region.

The performers, including dao (actresses), kep (actors), lao (old men), mu (female characters), and he (buffoons), engage in a dynamic exchange with the audience, combining dance, singing, music, and literature to convey messages of optimism and kindness.

With its unique blend of traditional and contemporary music, chèo continues to evolve while preserving its classic values and serving as a spiritual source of life for farmers and a beloved representation of Vietnam's cultural identity.

a traditional Vietnamese theatrical form that combines songs, dances, and dramatic actions, characterized by stylized gestures and the use of rhyme and storytelling techniques

a captivating form of modern folk opera that originated in Southern Vietnam in the early 20th century and gained popularity during the 1930s as a theatre form embraced by the middle class during the French colonial era

a stage, with puppeteers controlling wooden puppets using long bamboo rods and hidden string mechanisms beneath the water's surface

a genre of Vietnamese folk music originating from Bac Ninh province, is characterized by alternating groups of female and male singers engaging in musical challenges and responses