Announcement of the Decision recognizing the Ha Nhi ethnic group as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Attending the ceremony were: Mr. Chu Le Chinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Mr. Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Colonel Le Cong Thanh - Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Border Guard Command, along with leaders of communes where the Ha Nhi ethnic group lives in the province.

At the ceremony, representatives from the Lai Chau Provincial Museum announced two decisions from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognizing the Xoe dance of the Ha Nhi people (a type of folk performing art) and the Xa Nha Ca performance of the Ha Nhi people as two national intangible cultural heritages. These are two of the seven heritages that have been recognized as national intangible cultural heritages in Lai Chau province in 2025 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism , bringing the total number of registered and recognized cultural heritages in the province to 13.

Cultural performances to welcome the ceremony.

Cultural performances at the announcement ceremony.

"Xoe Ha Nhi" is a form of cultural and artistic activity in the spiritual life of the Ha Nhi people, usually performed during festivals, holidays, harvest ceremonies, weddings, housewarming parties, etc., with many forms of performance such as: drum dance, field dance, weaving dance, rain-waiting dance, harvest dance, moon-gazing dance, farewell dance, etc., clearly expressing the spirit of unity, joy, and aspiration for prosperity in the lives of the Ha Nhi people.

The performance of "Xa Nhà Ca" (Song of Leaving Home) is a folk epic, a form of oral narrative poetry, with 3,590 verses divided into 11 logically structured parts, recounting the history of the struggle for survival and the migration process from old lands to new lands about 300 years ago. Along with that, it expresses the Hani people's conception of the formation of all things, explaining the origin of the universe and all living things; helping future generations better understand the spiritual culture of their ancestors, contributing to the maintenance and preservation of the good customs, traditions, and way of life of the Hani people. In particular, "Xa Nhà Ca" also contains many lessons on morality and ethics, guiding how to behave between people and between people and nature, connecting the past with the present, helping the younger generation understand and appreciate their roots.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Van Cong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized that the inclusion of the "Xoe Ha Nhi" dance and the "Xa Nha Ca" performance in the national intangible cultural heritage list is not only a source of pride for the ethnic communities that possess them, but also a shared responsibility of the entire society in protecting, transmitting, and promoting these unique cultural values. He affirmed that, in order for cultural heritage to truly "live" and exist in the very environment that created it, in the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to coordinate with agencies, units, and localities to effectively play the role of guiding, supporting, connecting, and creating an environment for people, especially the heritage owners, to take ownership, benefit from, and develop the heritage as an integral part of their lives.

Comrade Tran Van Cong – Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Comrade Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lai Chau province, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

At the announcement ceremony, Mr. Chu Le Chinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; and Mr. Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, presented the decision to representatives of the Ha Nhi ethnic minority communes and the Thu Lum commune government, whose two heritage items were included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Comrade Tran Van Cong – Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province – presented the Decision recognizing intangible cultural heritage to the communes in the Ha Nhi ethnic minority area.

Comrade Tran Van Cong – Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism – presented the Decision recognizing intangible cultural heritage to the communes inhabited by the Ha Nhi ethnic group.

Expressing his honor and pride that the "Xoe Ha Nhi" dance and the "Xa Nha Ca" performance have been recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, Mr. Le Thanh Tam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thu Lum commune, affirmed: This is not only a source of pride for the Ha Nhi ethnic people but also an important driving force and foundation for the locality to continue preserving, protecting, and promoting traditional cultural values in the community, linked with socio-economic development, especially community-based cultural tourism in the border region.

In an atmosphere of joy and pride, artisans from the villages of Thu Lum commune performed the "Xoe Ha Nhi" dance and the "Xa Nha Ca" performance...

Performing the