Spreading the value of national intangible cultural heritage

Thai ethnic cuisine in Lai Chau province is recognized as national intangible cultural heritage in 2025.

In mid-July, the ethnic people of Lai Chau were even more proud when 4 ethnic cultural heritages were honored and awarded certificates at the Ceremony to announce the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to recognize the list of national intangible cultural heritages in 2025, organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the People's Committee of Khong Lao commune. These are: Then Kin Pang festival of the Thai ethnic group in Lai Chau province; folk knowledge of healing of the Dao people in Phong Tho district, Tam Duong district, Sin Ho district (old); Thai ethnic cuisine of Lai Chau province; Cap sac ceremony of the Dao Tuyen people in Phong Tho district, Tam Duong district, Sin Ho district (old).
Folk Artisan Nong Van Nao in Phong Tho commune (who has made many contributions to the research and practice of Thai ethnic cultural rituals in Phong Tho and Khong Lao communes) excitedly shared: I am very happy that the Thai ethnic group in the province has many cultural heritages recognized at the national level. This is a source of pride and motivation for people to continue to unite and preserve the beauty of traditional culture. As an artisan, I will try to teach the younger generation the rituals of the festival: Nang Han, Then Kin Pang.
It is known that previously (June 27), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued decisions to announce the list of national intangible cultural heritages. Of which, Lai Chau province has 7 more intangible cultural heritages included in the list. In addition to the 4 cultural heritages awarded certificates at the event held in Khong Lao commune, the province also has 3 cultural heritages including: xoe art of the Ha Nhi people (districts: Muong Te, Nam Nhun, old Phong Tho); Xa Nha Ca performance of the Ha Nhi people (communes: Mu Ca, Ka Lang, Thu Lum, old Muong Te district) and weaving of the Lu people will be awarded certificates in the near future.
Lai Chau province has 20 ethnic groups living together. Each ethnic group has its own cultural characteristics: cuisine, music , costumes, folk knowledge, festivals, etc., creating a rich and unique cultural resource for the borderland of the Fatherland. Over time, despite the strong cultural exchange, the people in the area have always preserved, conserved and promoted cultural values - the soul of the nation.
Mr. Tran Manh Hung - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: Currently, the whole province has 11 heritages listed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national intangible cultural heritage, 2 heritages recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In order to preserve and spread the value of these heritages, in recent times, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has advised the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and Provincial People's Committee to issue resolutions and projects on preserving and promoting the fine traditional cultural identities of ethnic groups associated with tourism development in the province for the period 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030. Every year, the Department presides over or coordinates the organization of classes to teach cultural heritage in the community; develop mass cultural and artistic movements; perform and introduce typical and unique cultural heritages through organizing and participating in cultural, sports and tourism events for officials and people. In addition, advise on awarding the title of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist in the field of intangible cultural heritage. From there, promote the role of artists in teaching and spreading heritage values through festivals. At the same time, apply technology in conservation; collect artifacts.
From 2021 to present, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has organized 41 classes to teach traditional culture of ethnic groups; consulted on the completion of the process to propose the awarding of 1 people's artisan and 5 excellent artisans in the field of intangible cultural heritage for the fourth time in 2025; coordinated with localities to restore and maintain the organization of 3 festivals at the provincial level: Gau Tao Festival of the Mong people, Then Kin Pang of the Thai people, and King Le Thai To Temple Festival, attracting tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists. In the province's festivals, in addition to practicing worship rituals, there are also attractive culinary and ethnic sports competitions.
Dr. Pham The Hung (a tourist from Hanoi ) shared: Attending the Thai festival in Lai Chau, I was impressed by the culinary competition, which was not only very unique in terms of dishes and decoration, but also had a strong cultural imprint of the highlands. The cuisine of the Thai people is wonderful, from the products of the mountains and forests, through the skillful hands and creativity of the women, it becomes an artistic masterpiece.
Promoting the achieved results, in the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to advise and propose to the province long-term policies to combine conservation with dissemination and sustainable development of national intangible cultural heritages; improve the spiritual life of the people. Strengthen the promotion and introduction of cultural heritages on mass media and social networking platforms to domestic and foreign tourists to Lai Chau - a land rich in cultural identity.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/van-hoa/lan-toa-gia-tri-cac-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-606176