Protecting and promoting the heritage values of "Dong Ho folk painting" and "Quan Ho folk songs of Bac Ninh".

Dong Ho folk paintings (archive photo)

The document states that at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, held from December 8-13, 2025 in New Delhi, India, the Intergovernmental Committee adopted Decision 20.COM 7.a.1 inscribing the "Dong Ho Folk Painting Craft" on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and Decision 20.COM 9.a concerning a complaint regarding the potential impact of construction projects on the "cultural space" of the "Quan Ho Folk Songs of Bac Ninh " heritage.

Regarding this matter, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has directed the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province as follows: For the intangible cultural heritage requiring urgent protection, "Dong Ho folk painting craft": The People's Committee of Bac Ninh province is requested to base its actions on the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention at its 20th session on the inscription of "Dong Ho folk painting craft" in Decision No. 20.COM 7.a.1 to implement measures to protect and promote the value of the heritage in accordance with the law on cultural heritage; and to implement the plan to receive the UNESCO certificate as stipulated in Article 96 of Government Decree No. 308/2020/ND-CP dated November 28, 2025, detailing some articles and measures for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Regarding the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, "Quan Ho folk songs of Bac Ninh": following the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism continued to receive an urgent petition (dated December 10, 2025) from the collective of citizens of Diem Quan Ho Village (Viem Xa), Kinh Bac Ward, Bac Ninh Province, reflecting and requesting that the construction project of the Northwest Urban Area of Bac Ninh City poses a serious risk of harming the cultural heritage of Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs and the historical and cultural relics of Diem Village.

Therefore, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province to direct relevant agencies and localities to urgently complete the assessment of the impact of the Northwest Bac Ninh Urban Area Project on the representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity, Quan Ho folk songs of Bac Ninh, in order to propose measures to protect and sustainably promote the values of the heritage; and to promptly inform the relevant Members of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention (when requested) as adopted by the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention in 2025 in Decision No. 20.COM 9.a.

Furthermore, the issue must be resolved definitively, avoiding prolonged complaints and the possibility of further complaints being sent to UNESCO regarding this matter, which could affect heritage management and the country's role as a signatory to the 2003 Convention and as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention.

At the same time, inform the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before March 15, 2026, about the resolution results to coordinate in state management and implement commitments to protect heritage in accordance with the law on cultural heritage and the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Source: https://nguoihanoi.vn/bao-ve-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-nghe-lam-tranh-dan-gian-dong-ho-va-dan-ca-quan-ho-bac-ninh-96888.html