This music is known for its distinctive melodic beauty, with a typical dash of melancholy. Many believe that the origins are found in the kingdom of Champa for many centuries before and after 100 AD. Doan Nghe That Truyen Thong Hue carries back to the days of the Vietnamese imperial court. The Doan Ca Hue represents a still more ancient musical tradition, typical of Hue. Together with singer Ai Hoa, they also perform the rhythmical music connected with the distinctive Vietnamese "cult of the saints", chau van. The third group, Doan Ca Kich Hue, with a number of vocalists, performs a repertoire based on the romantic songs inspired by the Perfume River which flows through Hué.