Thirty-three intangible cultural heritages recognised

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism has decided to announce a list of 33 national intangible cultural heritages.

Among those, seven have been recognised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as intangible cultural heritages of humankind. Don ca tai tu Nam Bo (Southern amateur music) has been submitted to the committee for recognition.

As many as 11 folk performance arts are named in the list, including the Vietnam Royal Court Music in central Thua Thien-Hue province, the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, the Bac Ninh Folk Songs in northern Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces, Ca Tru (Ceremonial singing) in 15 provinces and cities, Xoan singing in northern Phu Tho province, southern amateur music in 21 provinces and cities, Cao Lan and San Chi folk songs in Bac Giang province, the Binh Dinh traditional martial arts in central Binh Dinh province and water puppetry in northern Hai Duong province.

Also listed are traditional festivals such as the Giong Festival at Phu Dong and Soc Temples in Hanoi, the Yen The and Tho Ha Festivals in Bac Giang province, the Fire Jumping Festival of Pa Then people in northern Ha Giang province, the Con Son and Kiep Bac Festivals in Hai Duong province, the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival in Hai Phong city, the Fish Worshipping Festival in central Khanh Hoa province, the Gau Tao Festival in Lao Cai and Ha Giang provinces, the Ky Yen Festival in the Gia Loc Communal House in southern Tay Ninh province, the Ponagar Festival in Nha Trang city of central Khanh Hoa province, and the Long Tong Festival of Tay ethnic people in northern mountainous Tuyen Quang province.

Seven social practices and beliefs honoured this time are the ritual of worshipping Hung Kings in Phu Tho province, the ancestor worship of Lo Lo people in Ha Giang province, the “Cap Sac” - a ritual to recognise a mature Dao ethnic man in northern Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces, the Forest God Worship of Pu Peo ethnic people in Ha Giang province, the “leaving the tomb” ceremony of Raglai people in Khanh Hoa province, the Chau van or hau dong ritual of Viet people in Ha Nam and Nam Dinh provinces, and the Then ritual of Tay ethnic people in Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and Tuyen Quang provinces. Chu Nom (Ancient Vietnamese script) of Dao ethnic people in Bac Kan province, Dong Ho folk paintings in Bac Ninh province and the ceramics of Cham ethnic people in central Binh Thuan province are also recognised as intangible cultural heritages.

(Source: VNA)