Students from Cohort 17, majoring in Multimedia Communication at FPT University, have launched the project Nhat Huyen with the goal of connecting young people and traditional music.
As young individuals passionate about national culture and eager to contribute to spreading traditional values within the community, five Cohort 17 Multimedia Communication students from FPT University — Nguyen Nhu Quynh, Nguyen Huu Kiet, Le Tran Hoang Vi, Truong Quynh Anh, and Nguyen Huynh Yen Vy — developed Nhat Huyen as their graduation project.
At FPT University, students have the opportunity to engage with traditional instruments, notably the dan bau, from their very first semester. The dan bau is the only Vietnamese traditional instrument that produces sound through harmonics, has only one string, no frets, yet can play all pitches — perfectly suited for the ornate, sliding melodies of Vietnamese music.
“If ao dai, banh mi, and pho are familiar cultural symbols, the dan bau — an instrument deeply imbued with Vietnamese soul — has yet to receive adequate attention on media platforms. Despite its long history and high artistic value, the dan bau has not achieved the widespread resonance it deserves as a cultural symbol. That’s why we decided to launch Nhat Huyen as a new approach to help the younger generation better understand national culture,” a team representative shared.
The heart of the project is the art show Nhat huyen van sac hoa am — a music event blending tradition and modernity, with the dan bau at its center. Without an MC, the program opts to tell its story through images, sound, and light, creating an emotional journey woven through each performance.
During the concert, the stage was designed with a minimalist approach. Innovative arrangements combining the dan bau with EDM and pop music brought traditional sounds closer to youth tastes. Subtle lighting, dynamic visuals, and color effects guided the audience through the historical evolution of the dan bau, culminating in a fusion of folk music and modern rhythms. Altogether, it offered a nostalgic yet fresh experience, affirming Vietnam’s spirit of integration without dilution.
Turning an idea on paper into a distinctive art program was no easy feat. Though passionate about national culture, the team initially lacked the knowledge of harmony and arrangement needed to create modern yet authentic interpretations. Fortunately, they received dedicated guidance from FPT University’s Department of Traditional Music faculty, who provided expertise in traditional music and effective ways to combine it with modern elements.
“In terms of direction and strategy, we were mentored by Huynh Ngoc Dong Giao — a lecturer in Multimedia Communication — who helped us define objectives, develop plans, and complete key content. We were also supported by Nguyen Thi My Duyen, a former member of the university’s dan bau team,” the representative added.
To ensure the dan bau melodies would not be perceived as “old-fashioned,” the team adopted a creative approach to storytelling, combining visual effects and modern sounds (EDM, pop) to capture young audiences’ attention. They also leveraged social media platforms to amplify their message, using inventive imagery to spark curiosity and engagement. The participation of 250 audience members at the show signaled the project’s early success.
The five Nhat Huyen members hope to develop their project into a replicable communication model within education. The team is working with FPT University’s Department of Traditional Music to further research and implement creative cultural content in high schools, giving students earlier exposure to traditional values.
“Through this project, we want the younger generation to realize that national identity is not a fixed or outdated concept — it can integrate with the modern world in each individual’s own way, becoming a source of inspiration for young people to define themselves in a global era. Traditional music, especially the dan bau, can harmonize with many contemporary genres, opening up unique pathways. By experiencing, exploring, and innovating upon cultural foundations, each young person can proudly carry Vietnamese identity into the world in their own distinctive style,” the team representative affirmed.