UNESCO continues to accompany the preservation and development of Southern amateur music art

At the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tan Anh gave a profound speech, affirming the Center's commitment to preserving and spreading the values of intangible cultural heritage representing humanity.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tan Anh reviewed the history of the formation and development of Southern amateur music - a unique folk art form born in the late 19th century, originating from ritual music and Hue royal court music, maintained by the people of the South as an elegant pastime, regardless of class, clothing or status. With traditional instruments such as the zither, the co, the zither and the monochord (four-stringed instrument), later with the addition of the guitar, Southern amateur music has developed strongly and become an important foundation for the art of reformed opera.

Before 1975, Don ca tai tu was an indispensable spiritual food for the people of the South and following the footsteps of revolutionary cadres regrouping to the North, this genre was also introduced to cadres and people in the North, creating a widespread spread. After the country's reunification, the overseas Vietnamese community continued to bring Don ca tai tu to the world , contributing to promoting Vietnamese culture to international friends.

The most important milestone, according to Professor Nguyen Tan Anh, was on December 5, 2013, when the United NationsEducational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Southern amateur music as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The UNESCO Center for Preservation and Development of Southern Don Ca Tai Tu - a specialized unit under the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, is assigned the responsibility of researching, preserving and developing this precious art form. During the 2025 - 2030 term, the Center has set out many specific plans: Perfecting the organizational structure, adding members to the Board of Directors and Advisory Council; Coordinating with Don Ca Tai Tu clubs, cultural centers, art schools, etc. to organize training courses on UNESCO, heritage conservation, Don Ca Tai Tu festivals and signing cooperation agreements to train artisans; Organizing the International Don Ca Tai Tu Festival of Southern Don Ca Tai Tu every two years, on the occasion of UNESCO's recognition of the heritage; Bringing Don Ca Tai Tu art performances to the overseas Vietnamese community and organizing international cultural exchange events; Mobilizing domestic and foreign investment to establish the Southern Traditional Music Performing Arts Center - a place for research, training and in-depth performance.