Songs for exchange, not only performance
Quảng Ninh’s Department of Culture and Sports describes chèo đường as a form of musical exchange among people who work at sea, found in work and occasions such as weddings. Names and practices can vary by locality. This places the singing in a relationship between people, in an environment where voices have to travel across water.
Listen in context
If you encounter courtship singing during a visit, ask the presenter about the song form, the occasions when it is practised, and the community that sustains it. Avoid grouping every kind of singing at sea into a single ritual. A song may be performed for visitors, but its context is wider than a few minutes on stage.