Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest becomes cultural heritage after nearly 700 years

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized the 'Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival' and 'Knowledge of exploiting and processing Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest' as national intangible cultural heritage.

On June 5, at Yen Island, Hon Noi, Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company organized the Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival 2025 with the participation of 700 delegates including provincial leaders, the community of people involved in the salanganes nest exploitation industry, Le clans and company staff.

In particular, the festival atmosphere this year is more solemn as two unique cultural values ​​of the province have been officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national intangible cultural heritage.

Leaders of Khanh Hoa province and representatives of the Department of Cultural Heritage awarded the certificate of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival to representatives of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company.

PHOTO: BA DUY

Previously, on the evening of June 4, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa coordinated with Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company to organize a ceremony to honor the national cultural heritage of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest. Leaders of Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company and representatives of salangane artisans received two important certificates: "Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival" and "Knowledge of exploiting and processing Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest" were included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage.

The history of Khanh Hoa bird's nests began in 1328, when Admiral Le Van Dat of the Tran Dynasty discovered islands with nests in the Binh Khang sea area. He was honored as the founder of the Vietnamese bird's nest industry, opening a unique industry that lasted nearly 7 centuries. The successor of the founder was An Phu Su Binh Khang Le Van Quang - the 21st generation descendant of the founder, along with his daughter Le Thi Huyen Tram - Grand Admiral of the Tay Son Navy, who took on the mission of protecting and developing the bird's nest islands.

Hon Noi Swallow Island is 13 nautical miles from Nha Trang City. The island is home to thousands of swiftlets and is considered the birthplace of the bird's nest industry in Khanh Hoa.

PHOTO: BA DUY

The story of Grand Admiral Le Thi Huyen Tram has become a sacred symbol of the profession. She, her father and other soldiers sacrificed their lives on the 10th day of the 5th lunar month in 1793 in the war to protect sovereignty and the swallow islands. Since then, people have honored her as the Holy Mother of the Island and built a temple on the swallow island. Every year on the 10th day of the 5th lunar month, the Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival takes place, becoming an annual activity of the Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company.

At the ceremony, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tan Tuan emphasized that the recognition of the heritage affirms the great cultural value of the bird's nest profession and the Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Festival. He requested Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Company to continue to maintain, uphold and promote, build the brand "Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest" with a high sense of responsibility, build a strategy for developing the industry in a sustainable direction. At the same time, continue to make efforts to promote scientific research, promote technical innovation initiatives, build the Khanh Hoa - Vietnam Bird's Nest brand worthy of being a strong brand, with top quality in the world.

The bird's nest festival is one of the traditional festivals of the people of Khanh Hoa. On the 10th day of the 5th lunar month every year, people hold a festival on Yen Island, Hon Noi to commemorate the great merit of the ancestors who founded and developed the bird's nest industry.

PHOTO: BA DUY

Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival is a vivid demonstration of the close connection between humans and nature, between the past and the present. Being recognized as a national cultural heritage not only means honor but also places a great responsibility on the community in preserving and promoting the cultural and historical values ​​of the industry.

On this occasion, Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Company awarded certificates of merit to 15 individuals with outstanding achievements in the Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest industry in 2025, and presented souvenirs to representatives of the Le clan in Vinh Nguyen ward and Phuoc Hai ward.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/yen-sao-khanh-hoa-tro-thanh-di-san-van-hoa-sau-gan-700-nam-185250605142607437.htm