Performing 15 intangible cultural heritages honored by UNESCO

Artisans from 13 provinces and cities will perform and promote 15 heritages honored by UNESCO to promote the value of Vietnam's intangible cultural heritage.

The palanquin procession of the communes, wards and towns in the suburbs to the Hung Temple National Historical Site. (Photo: Trung Kien/VNA)

A delegation of artisans from 13 provinces and cities will gather in Phu Tho province to attend the Festival of performing intangible cultural heritages of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO.

Accordingly, from April 21-24, at Hung Vuong Square, Viet Tri city, artisans from Hanoi , Bac Ninh, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ninh Thuan, Dak Lak will perform 15 heritages honored by UNESCO.

Heritages introduced at the festival include: Central Vietnam's Bai Choi art; Hue Royal Court Music; Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space; Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs; Ca Tru; Giong Festival at Soc Temple and Phu Dong Temple; Hung King worship in Phu Tho; Southern amateur music art; Nghe Tinh Vi-Giam singing; Tug of war rituals and games; Practice of Mother Goddess worship; Xoan singing in Phu Tho; Tay, Nung, Thai Then practice; Thai Xoe art; Cham pottery making.

The festival consists of two parts: Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance and Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Space.

Scene of the press conference. (Photo: Nam Nguyen/Vietnam+)

At the press conference on April 13 in Hanoi, Mr. Ho Dai Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Tho province, said that the host will organize a performance of ancient Xoan singing in three stages: Singing for worship, singing for fruit, singing for festival performed by artisans from 4 Xoan wards of Kim Dai, Thet, Phu Duc (Kim Duc commune) and An Thai (Phuong Lau commune), Viet Tri city; performance of wrapping banh chung and pounding banh giay performed by artisans of Hung Lo commune, Bach Hac ward; performance of "King Hung teaches people to plant rice" performed by artisans of Minh Nong ward.

In addition, the province will display images, documents, artifacts, and show video clips about "Hung King worship in Phu Tho" and "Phu Tho Xoan singing"; display and introduce typical tourism products and OCOP products of Phu Tho province.

The event aims to honor and promote the value of Vietnam's intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, thereby raising awareness and experience in managing, preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage for all levels, sectors, artisans and cultural heritage practitioners.

The heritage of Xoan singing will be introduced at the festival. (Photo: Nguyen Viet Thanh/Vietnam+)

This is also an activity towards the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (October 17, 2003) and at the same time demonstrates Vietnam's efforts and role in implementing its commitments when participating in the 2003 Convention.

From April 25-29, the delegations continued to display and introduce images, artifacts, and documents of the local intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, typical local tourism and OCOP products.

The 20th anniversary celebration of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is scheduled to take place at 8pm on April 21 at Hung Vuong Square.

The conference “Promoting the role of cultural heritage in tourism development” will take place on April 22, creating a scientific space for leaders, policy makers, scholars, scientists and stakeholders to exchange and discuss the role of cultural heritage in sustainable tourism development.

The exhibition “Cultural heritage and tourism of Vietnam’s capital regions” lasting from April 21 to 29 is an opportunity to demonstrate Vietnam’s efforts and role in implementing its commitments when participating in the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the research, inventory, identification, practice, teaching, promotion and introduction of intangible cultural heritage after being recognized by UNESCO.

In parallel with the activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Convention, the Hung Temple Festival and the Cultural-Tourism Week of the Ancestral Land will take place from April 21-28.

Specifically, the Hung Temple Festival includes solemn and respectful rituals, such as: the death anniversary of the National Ancestor Lac Long Quan and offering incense to commemorate the Mother Au Co; the death anniversary of the Hung Kings and offering flowers at the relief "Uncle Ho talking to the Vanguard Army"; incense offering activities of people nationwide...

Vice Chairman of Phu Tho Provincial People's Committee Ho Dai Dung said that preparations for the above events have been basically completed. It is expected that the Hung Temple historical relic site will welcome about 8 million visitors for pilgrimage and festival./.

Minh Thu (Vietnam+)