| the key Buddhist ceremonies is the Mong Son Thi | | | | indigenous religions, Hat Chau van (singing |
| Thuc ceremony, which involves an impressive | | | | incantations) is the most popular. This artistic music is |
| performance of solemn music and ritual dance. The | | | | performed by adherents of the Four Palaces folk |
| monks chant prayer texts in chorus, while drums and | | | | belief, who worship the Holy Mother. Unlike major |
| bells sound in the background, this combination | | | | religions, Four Palaces has no dogma, tenets, or |
| evoking both the hardness and softness of Buddhism. | | | | prayers. The religion's entire contents are expressed |
| Christian music must also be examined. Some | | | | through songs. |
| priest’s claim that sung blessings is twice as | | | | It could even be suggested that the music is what |
| powerful as spoken ones. The composition and | | | | actually attracts crowds to Holy Mother Temples. |
| teaching of hymns are considered crucial tasks, | | | | There are numerous anecdotes about young girls |
| performed according to strict guidelines. Learning | | | | running away from home to follow talented musicians |
| these hymns is a basic duty for pious Christians and | | | | who play at religious trance ceremonies and spending |
| each church has a well-trained choir. At first, the | | | | their whole lives volunteering in Holy Mother Temples. |
| human voice was the sole instrument. Later, musical | | | | Wherever it spreads, religious music adapts to suit |
| instruments like the organ were added. Today, some | | | | local tastes. Looking at Vietnam's Buddhist music, one |
| wealthy churches feature orchestras. Over time, | | | | finds distinct styles in the northern, central and |
| European church music even influenced secular music. | | | | southern regions. Each style has been strongly |
| While major, organized religions like Buddhism, | | | | influenced by regional folk music. This is also true for |
| Christianity and Islam have established core principles, | | | | Christian music. In northern Bac Ninh province, church |
| many folk religions lack clear dogmas, having arisen | | | | music bears similarities to local Quan Ho folk duets. |
| from folk tales. Some of these beliefs are specific to | | | | Even Hat Chau Van varies between the North and |
| very small communities or areas. What the world's big | | | | the South. What remains the same, in Vietnam and |
| and small religions seem to have in common is their | | | | around the world, is people's love of music and a |
| use of music to win supporters. | | | | yearning for spiritual fulfillment. |
| Among the music associated with Vietnam's | | | | |