The Culture and Sports Centre in Hoi An has launched a training course in Hat Boi or Tuong (classical drama) for 15 children.

The move is an attempt to preserve the ancient art form and to entertain tourists.

Director of the centre Vo Phung said the course, funded by Hoang Chau Ky Foundation, will last three months, with Tuong artists instructing the children every Saturday night at 39 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.

“It’s the first-ever course in Tuong for children in Hoi An after a training course in Bai Choi (a traditional Vietnamese game combining folk songs and picks from a deck of cards) was launched for children two years ago,” Phung said.

“The trained children will perform for tourists visiting Hoi An, while the ancient art form will also be preserved,” he said, adding that Bai Choi was being staged on the Hoai River bank for tourists every night.

The first training course of Hat Boi, or Tuong (Classic Drama) performance is opened for kids in Hoi An (Source: VNA)

The classical drama from Quang Nam Province was researched and preserved by late professor Hoang Chau Ky (1921-2008).

Last year, the Tuong Xu Quang (Quang Nam classical drama region) art performance was recognised as national intangible heritage.

Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage site, is the most popular destination in Quang Nam Province.

A survey showed that 27 percent of the international tourists visited the city to learn about its culture and history.

(Source: VNA)