PHAP LAM HUE ROYAL COURT TO MODERN STREETS

Abstract

“Lý” is an important and distinctive genre of Vietnamese folk music, found across various regions of the
country from North to South, but most prevalent in Thừa Thiên‑Huế, the south‑central coastal plains, and the
Southern region. Among these, “Lý Nam Bộ” has become a vital cultural and spiritual asset for Southern
communities, with a vibrant and enduring presence in everyday musical life. “Lý Nam Bộ” comprises
numerous melodies, each associated with one or more songs that are rich and diverse in content and imagery.
These songs vividly express emotions, sentiments, and reflect multiple aspects of daily life. Characterized by
simplicity and sincerity, “Lý Nam Bộ” embodies strong national and regional identities through its use of
traditional pentatonic scales, folk poetic forms, regional dialects, and expressive filler words. With its
distinctive musical and lyrical features, “Lý Nam Bộ” holds significant cultural value and merits active
preservation, transmission, and development.