Announcement of the Decision to recognize the national intangible cultural heritage of the Ha Nhi ethnic group

Attending the ceremony were comrades: Chu Le Chinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; 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 and leaders of communes with Ha Nhi ethnic people living in the province.

At the ceremony, representatives of Lai Chau Provincial Museum announced 2 decisions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognizing the Xoe Art of the Ha Nhi people (a type of folk performing art) and Xa Nha Ca Performance of the Ha Nhi people as 2 national intangible cultural heritages. These are 2 of 7 heritages recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national intangible cultural heritages in 2025 of Lai Chau province, bringing the total number to 13 cultural heritages registered and recognized in the province.

Art performance to welcome the ceremony

Performance at the announcement ceremony.

“Xoè Hà Nhi” is a form of cultural and artistic activity in the spiritual life of the Hà Nhi people, often danced on occasions such as festivals, New Year’s Eve, harvest prayers, weddings, housewarmings, etc. with many forms of performance such as: drum dance, field dance, weaving dance, rain-waiting dance, seasonal dance, moon-watching dance, farewell dance, etc. clearly showing the spirit of solidarity, joy and aspiration for abundance in the life of the Hà Nhi people.

The performance of “Xa Nha Ca” is a folk epic, a form of oral poetry, with 3,590 verses divided into 11 parts with a logical and tight structure, recounting the history of the struggle for survival, the migration process from the old land to new lands about 300 years ago. Along with that, it shows the Ha Nhi people's concept of the formation of all things, explains the origin of the universe and all species; helps the next generation better understand the spiritual culture of their ancestors, contributes to maintaining and preserving the customs, habits and good lifestyle of the Ha Nhi people. In particular, “Xa Nha Ca” also contains many lessons on ethics, morality and guidance on how to behave between people and between people and nature, connecting the past with the present, helping the young generation understand and appreciate their roots.

Speaking at the ceremony, comrade Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized: The art of "Xoè Hà Nhi" and "Xa Nhà Ca" performance being included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage is not only the pride of the ethnic community that owns it, but also the common responsibility of the whole society in protecting, transmitting and promoting unique cultural values. He affirmed that in order for cultural heritage to truly "live" and exist in the environment that produces the heritage, in the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to coordinate with agencies, units and localities to promote the role of orientation, support, connection and environment creation for people, especially heritage subjects to own, benefit and develop heritage as part of life.

Comrade Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province spoke at the ceremony.

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

At the announcement ceremony, comrades: Chu Le Chinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the decision to representatives of the Ha Nhi ethnic communes and the Thu Lum commune government to have 2 heritages included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages.

Comrade Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province presented the Decision on recognition of intangible cultural heritage to the communes of the Ha Nhi ethnic group.

Comrade Tran Van Cong - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the Decision on recognition of intangible cultural heritage to the communes of the Ha Nhi ethnic group.

Expressing the honor and pride when "Xoè Hà Nhi" and "Xa Nhà Ca" performance were recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage, comrade Le Thanh Tam - Chairman of Thu Lum Commune People's Committee affirmed: This is not only the pride of the Ha Nhi ethnic group but also an important driving force and basis for the locality to continue to preserve, maintain and promote traditional cultural values in the community associated with socio-economic development, especially cultural tourism in the border community.

In a joyful and proud atmosphere, artisans from villages in Thu Lum commune performed the "Xoè Ha Nhi" dance and the "Xa Nha Ca" performance...

Performing