The Faculty of Traditional Music of the Vietnam National Academy of Music trains in majors such as: Pao truc, Bau, Nhi, Nguyet, Ty ba, Tranh, Tam thap luc, Folk percussion at the 6-year intermediate, 4-year university and 2-year postgraduate levels. In addition, the Faculty also teaches subjects such as Cheo Concerto, Hue Chamber Music Concerto, Cai Luong amateur music concert, Cheo Singing, Hue Ca, Cai Luong Singing...
Since the 2025 - 2026 school year, when the Vietnam National Academy of Music implemented a 70% tuition fee reduction according to the provisions of Decree 238/2025/ND-CP, the number of enrollment in traditional musical instrument majors has increased sharply.
In a conversation with Lao Dong reporters about the issue of training students in art majors amidst the context of the cultural industry being invested and focused on, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Phuong - Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music - said, "In the recent period, if we consider all 8 majors of the Faculty of Traditional Music (Sáo trúc, Bầu, Nhị, Nguyệt, Tỳ bà, Tranh, Tam thập lục, Gõ dân tộc), the number of students is also approximately the Piano Faculty. Up to now, the Piano Faculty and the Vocal Faculty - have always been the 2 "hottest" faculties of the Academy, with the largest number of students".
To see, after having a priority mechanism, traditional instrument majors in the Faculty of Traditional Music are "hot" on par with Piano and Vocal.
Amidst the context of the cultural industry being invested in and developed, especially the growth of the performing arts industry, national cultural materials and national music are being optimized.
According to the assessment of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Phuong, students majoring in folk musical instruments when entering the labor market are often very versatile, can take on many different jobs, they can participate in performances, compositions, and can also train, research, circulate and spread, preserving the beauty of national culture.
Currently, provinces and cities across the country are focusing on investing in and developing unique indigenous cultures of each region.
Students majoring in folk music are actually very easy to find jobs. They can participate in tours, currently there are many tours that optimize cultural materials, attracting customers with traditional music performances. Students of folk instruments are inherently multi-talented, both composing and performing, they can also work in folk orchestras at theaters, working at specialized cultural agencies in provinces... In general, the performing arts market is developing rapidly and strongly and needs a very large workforce. This is an opportunity for students to be properly and professionally trained like at the Vietnam National Academy of Music" - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Phuong said.
Of course, "hotness" is not evenly divided among all majors in folk musical instruments. There will be majors with greater attraction, such as zither, monochord, bamboo flute...
Reducing 70% tuition fees for students in specialized majors such as traditional musical instruments also carries meaning and a great vision in the distant future, which is priority mechanisms, preferential policies, and long-term investment in human resources will carry the mission of preserving and developing national cultural identity.
