Opening of a series of activities to celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day November 23

VHO - Vinh Long announced National Intangible Cultural Heritage, honoring the value of traditional Khmer crafts in the South.

Vinh Long opens a series of activities to celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day November 23

On November 1, at the Khmer Ethnic Culture Museum (Nguyet Hoa Ward, Vinh Long Province), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long Province organized the opening ceremony of the celebration of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23) in conjunction with the announcement of the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to include "The craft of making hats and masks of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh " in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage (NSCH) according to Decision No. 2209/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 27, 2025 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

On this occasion, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long province organized an exhibition of more than 250 artifacts and 120 images of the province's cultural heritage; at the same time, the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism awarded certificates of merit to individuals and groups who have actively contributed to donating, collecting and preserving valuable artifacts for the Provincial Museum.

Ceremony to receive the Certificate of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the inclusion of "The craft of making hats and masks of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh" in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Quynh Thien - Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee emphasized that the announcement of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage "The craft of making hats and masks of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh" and receiving the Certificate of Recognition from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism is an event of special significance in the series of activities of the Ok Om Bok Festival in 2025, and at the same time an occasion to honor the traditional cultural values ​​of the Khmer people in the South.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that the Khmer people's craft of making crowns and masks has a history of more than two centuries, closely associated with the cultural and folk art life of the community, especially in traditional folk art forms of the Khmer people such as Chhay yam drum dance, Robam dance drama, Du Ke stage, etc.

The Khmer people's hats and masks are closely associated with the cultural and folk art life of the community, especially in folk art forms.

Each product demonstrates the skillful hands, artistic understanding and creative soul of the artisan, conveying the concept of good and evil, the desire for goodness and profound humanistic spirit.

According to Mr. Thien, through many historical ups and downs, this craft has been passed down through many generations, becoming an indispensable part of the diverse cultural picture of the Mekong Delta.

Being listed in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a great honor for Vinh Long province, showing recognition for the preservation efforts of Khmer artisans and community.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that in the coming time, Vinh Long province will promote solutions to preserve and promote the value of the profession of making crowns and masks associated with the development of cultural and community tourism .

He suggested that the cultural sector coordinate with localities to strengthen propaganda and vocational training for the younger generation; organize production activities, performances, and product introductions at cultural and tourism events; and at the same time, research and develop a project to preserve the traditional professions of the Khmer people in the direction of sustainable socialization.

Delegates visit National Treasures on display at the Khmer Ethnic Culture Museum

Students visit the exhibition spaces

“It is necessary to promote the role of the Khmer ethnic community in preserving heritage; connecting the craft of making crowns and masks with typical cultural tourism products, contributing to creating livelihoods and arousing national pride.

At the same time, heritage education should be included in schools so that students have the opportunity to learn, access and participate in promoting and practicing local cultural heritage," Mr. Thien emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Quynh Thien also noted the harmonious combination and exploitation of two traditional Khmer crafts that have been recognized as national heritages - Ca Hom mat making and crown and mask making to form a unique cultural and tourism value chain of Vinh Long.

Mr. Thach Boi, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long province, said: up to now, the whole province has 214 relics (including 2 special national relics, 45 national relics, 167 provincial relics), 19 intangible cultural heritages included in the National List and 3 national treasures.

Over the past time, Vinh Long Museum has collected and preserved more than 48,000 artifacts and documents reflecting the formation and development process of the province through many historical periods, with many valuable collections such as farming tools, betel chewing utensils of Kinh - Khmer people, Buddha paintings on fabric, wartime letters...

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Anh - Director of Vinh Long Museum (standing in the middle) receives artifacts donated by individuals to the Museum.

Over the past 20 years, agencies and units in the province have carried out many practical activities to preserve and promote cultural heritage values ​​in accordance with the Law on Cultural Heritage, contributing to spreading traditional values.

In 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism advised the Provincial People's Committee to implement many projects, contests, heritage teaching and communication activities, creating a foundation for increasingly effective heritage conservation work.

Within the framework of the Ok Om Bok Festival 2025, the announcement of the national intangible cultural heritage "The craft of making hats and masks of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh" is an opportunity to honor the value of traditional crafts and express gratitude to artisans, collectors, and researchers who have contributed to preserving local cultural heritage.

Mr. Thach Boi expressed his hope that localities, organizations and individuals would continue to raise awareness and responsibility in preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage; at the same time, he commended the Vinh Long Museum and its artisans and researchers for their contributions to the cause of preserving national culture.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/khai-mac-chuoi-hoat-dong-ky-niem-ngay-di-san-van-hoa-viet-nam-2311-178514.html