The Khmer people's crown and mask making profession is an intangible cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has just decided to include "The craft of making hats and masks of the Khmer people" in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

On November 1, at the Khmer Ethnic Culture Museum, the People's Committee of Vinh Long province held a ceremony to announce the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to include the traditional craft of "Mao (hat) and mask making of the Khmer people" in the list of national intangible cultural heritage. This is an activity to celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23), the Culture, Sports and Tourism Week to celebrate the Ooc Om Boc festival in 2025.

Mr. Nguyen Quynh Thien, Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee (left cover) awarded the certificate of national intangible cultural heritage for the traditional craft "Mao (hat) and mask making of Khmer people"

Photo: Nam Long

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Quynh Thien, Vice Chairman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee, said that the craft of making crowns and masks of the Khmer people is a traditional craft that was formed more than 2 centuries ago to serve the cultural and folk art activities of the Khmer people, which are popular such as folk dance, traditional dance, religious dance, opera, etc.

Khmer people's hats and masks are included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

Photo: Nam Long

The crafted crowns and masks not only carry strong folk cultural values ​​but also represent sacred elements in the spiritual life of the community. The shape, color and pattern of each product are unique identification marks for each character and each dance, conveying profound meanings, expressing the transformation, good direction, and people's belief in good overcoming evil, in justice overcoming cruelty to bring good things in life.

Ribbon cutting ceremony to open the activities

Photo: Nam Long

Delegates visit the museum

Photo: Nam Long

Statue of Lord Vishnu

Photo: Nam Long

Crowns and masks are used for traditional folk art forms of the Khmer people such as Chhay-dam drum dance, Robam dance drama, Du Ke stage... The traditional craft of making crowns and masks of the Khmer people has therefore become a precious cultural heritage, passed down from generation to generation, contributing to creating a colorful cultural picture of the Mekong Delta region.

National treasures exhibition area

Photo: Nam Long

The lotus-carved gold leaf treasure is part of the Chau Thanh gold leaf collection.

Photo: Nam Long

"Currently, the whole province has 19 national intangible cultural heritages, of which the traditional craft - making crowns and masks of the Khmer people of Tra Vinh is one of them. in 6 intangible cultural heritages were formed in the life of the Khmer ethnic people. The above cultural heritage was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 27, 2025. This is the common joy of the people of Vinh Long province when a traditional craft with a strong Khmer cultural identity is honored and recognized," said Mr. Thien.

Exhibition area of ​​traditional costumes of Khmer people

Photo: Nam Long

Traditional costumes of the Khmer people

Photo: Nam Long

Re-enactment of Khmer mat weaving

Photo: Nam Long

At the ceremony, the organizing committee also received artifacts donated by collectors and awarded certificates of merit to individuals who donated artifacts to the museum.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghe-lam-mao-mat-na-cua-dong-bao-khmer-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-185251101124810696.htm