The figure was released by Vietnamese and French music researchers at a seminar held recently in Hanoi to discuss the distinctive characteristics of Dan Moi – a special musical instrument which is rarely known among people.

According to Prof. Tran Quang Hai, a total of 50 types of this instrument have been found in about 25 countries in the world.  

He said Dan moi can be used to play traditional folk songs, classical pieces of music, as well as hip hop and techno dances.

In Vietnam, Dan moi is a popular instrument that brings entertainment to J’rai and other ethnic people in the Central Highlands and love to young Mong ethnic couples in the North.

Prof. Hai is a phonologic and traditional music expert at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France. He trained more than 7,000 students to perform duet singing in 60 countries around the world. He also trained Nguyen Duc Minh, a student from the Hanoi Conservatoire, who will represent Vietnam at the World Jew’s Harp Congress to be held in the Netherlands from July 28-30.

This is the first time a Vietnamese artist will attend such a festival in 40 years.