Dan Nhi ( Đàn Nhị ) - Two-String Fiddle

Dan Nhi is popular among several ethnic groups in Vietnam. Dan Nhi is also refered to as Dan Co (Ðàn Cò) in South Viet Nam. It is a sort of vertical violin with two strings of braided silk, a long handle, fretless, and a pipe-bowl-shaped sound-box covered by a snake skin membrane.

It is capable of great flexibility in range, tone, and dynamics. There are three holding positions: The cornet is presses against the musician's hip as he/she walks. The wooden resonant box is held between the musician's knees if sitting on a stool. The cylinder is held between the musician's feet if sitting on the ground.

Dan Nhi, with its melodious sounds, can express the subtle mood of a human's soul. Due to its diversified use, the nhi is indispensable in traditional musical orchestras.

Today, many musicians have composed masterpieces for Dan Nhi. Therefore, Nhi has gradually become the solo instrument with high quality.