Vietnamese court music is diverse, including instrumental, vocal, dance, and theatrical music. The first two paths for this Lesson Hub involve young students in listening, stories, rituals, and exploring instruments, as though they were part of 17th-century northern Vietnam. Students will re-enact a Vietnamese ceremony and share thoughts on how music affects the mood. The third path focuses on the court theater, hát bội (or tuồng), where actors painted their faces to reflect character traits. Students will watch part of a hát bội performance, color mask templates, and listen to theater performance excerpts, using the music to inspire their artistry.

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

1. Imagining the Vietnamese Court

   • Consider the location of Vietnam and learn about the role of the 17th-Century Vietnamese court in governing the country.
   • 40–55 minutes

2. Elegant Music of the Vietnamese Court

   • Identify some of the typical sounds and instruments associated with nhã nhạc, or elegant music of the court.
   • 20–25 minutes

3. Court Theater Today

   • Learn about the life of Vietnamese court theatre (tuồng or hát bội) and explore how stories are told in these productions.
   • 20–25 minutes