The ceremony at the Temple of Cultural Celebrity Đào Tấn in Vĩnh Thạnh village began with incense offerings, followed by excerpts from classic plays written and refined by Đào Tấn, including Quan Công phò nhị tẩu from Cổ thành and Tiết Cương chống búa from Sơn hậu.
Artists from the Phước An, Nhơn Hưng and Trần Quang Diệu troupes performed before an audience of villagers and visitors.
For the local community, hát bội remains a deeply rooted cultural heritage. Elderly residents joined in by softly singing along, reflecting its enduring presence in daily life. “People here are passionate about hát bội. Every year, we eagerly await these performances,” said Đặng Văn Tuân, 77, living in Vĩnh Thạnh.
Performers described the annual event as honor and responsibility. Artisan Lê Văn Nghiệp of the Phước An troupe said, “Every time I take on a role here, I feel I am living in the artistic world of our ancestors.”
Local authorities said preservation of hát bội is central to the province’s cultural tourism plans. Tuy Phước commune is preparing to launch the Tuy Phước hát bội club, which will train young artists, introduce the art form into schools and provide a platform for community performances.
Artist Lệ Hoa of the Nhơn Hưng troupe voiced concerns over the aging generation of artists but pledged to teach for free if younger successors come forward.
The memorial underscored Đào Tấn’s legacy while highlighting efforts to ensure hát bội continues as a living tradition in his homeland.