Thousands of people and tourists attended the opening ceremony of the Ba Chua Xu Mountain Sam Festival in 2024. Photo: VNA
The Ba Chua Xu Festival in Sam Mountain is the 16th Intangible Cultural Heritage of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO.
16 Intangible Cultural Heritages include: Royal Court Music of the Nguyen Dynasty; Cultural Space of Gongs of the Central Highlands; Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Songs; Ca Tru Singing; Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple and Soc Temple; Xoan Singing in Phu Tho; Hung King Worship in Phu Tho; Southern Amateur Music Art; Vi and Dam Folk Songs in Nghe Tinh; Tug of War Rituals and Games; Mother Goddess Worship of the Three Palaces of the Vietnamese; Bai Choi Art in the Central Region; Then Practice of the Tay, Nung, Thai People, Xeo Thai Art, Pottery Art of the Cham People and the Festival of the Lady of the Land of Sam Mountain
1. Sam Mountain Lady Festival (2024)
The dramatization of the ceremony to bring the statue of Lady Xu from the top of Sam mountain to the temple. Photo: Cong Mao/VNA
The Ba Chua Xu Festival on Sam Mountain takes place from the 22nd to the 27th of the fourth lunar month, in the Ba Chua Xu Temple on Sam Mountain and the stone pedestal area worshiping her on Sam Mountain. It is a spiritual ritual and artistic performance, expressing the belief and gratitude to Mother Earth - Mother Land of the Vietnamese, Cham, Khmer and Chinese ethnic communities in Chau Doc, An Giang. Ba Chua Xu is the Holy Mother in the goddess worship, always protecting and supporting the people. The custom of worshiping her and participating in the festival is to satisfy the belief and wishes for health, peace and fortune of the Khmer, Cham, Chinese and Vietnamese communities in Chau Doc, An Giang as well as residents of the Southwest region.
The Via Ba Chua Xu festival on Sam mountain is the inheritance, absorption, integration and creation of Vietnamese residents in the process of land reclamation and is the synthesis of the Mother Goddess worship of the Vietnamese, Cham, Khmer and Chinese ethnic groups. The festival aims to honor the Goddess who protects and bestows wealth, health and peace on local people, and is also an educational environment for the traditional morality of "remembering the source of water when drinking", reminding the ancestors of their merits in building and defending the country, promoting the role of women and demonstrating the exchange in creativity, cultural practice and harmony of ethnic groups with the same faith in the same territory.
2. Cham Pottery Art (2022)
UNESCO's inscription of Cham pottery art into the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding in 2023 is an affirmation of Vietnam's cultural identity in the World Cultural Heritage treasure. Photo: VNA
The unique art of making pottery of the Cham people (Cham pottery) in Bau Truc village (Ninh Thuan province) has existed since the end of the 12th century. To date, Bau Truc is considered one of the very few ancient pottery villages in Southeast Asia that still retains the primitive pottery production method from thousands of years ago.
The entire process of making Cham pottery by the Cham people exudes a unique artistic value, preserving the fine customs and cultural identity of the Cham people in Vietnam. However, despite many efforts to protect it, the Cham pottery craft is facing the risk of extinction.
On November 29, 2022, Cham Pottery Art was officially inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
3. Thai Xoe Art (2021)
Xoe dance of Thai ethnic group in Yen Bai. Photo: Thanh Ha/VNA
Thai Xoe art is a unique traditional dance form, occupying an important position in the life of the Thai community in the 4 northwestern provinces of Vietnam: Lai Chau, Son La, Dien Bien, Yen Bai.
Music for Xoe dance also shows the worldview and philosophy of life of the ancients.
In December 2021, the Thai Xoe Art profile was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
4. Then practice of the Tay, Nung, Thai people (2019)
Then singing is a type of folk performance that combines singing, music, dance and acting. Practicing Then is an indispensable ritual in the spiritual life of the Tay, Nung and Thai people, reflecting their views on humans, the natural world and the universe.
On December 13, 2019, Then practice of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
5. Central Vietnam's Bai Choi Art (2017)
The art of Bài Chòi singing – a world intangible cultural heritage, is held every night in Hội An to serve tourists during the peak season. UNESCO’s recognition of the Bài Chòi art in Central Vietnam affirms the rich cultural identity of the Vietnamese people, community cohesion, and respect for cultural diversity. Photo: Trọng Đạt/VNA
The art of Bài Chòi in Central Vietnam (in the provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa and Da Nang) was born from the need to communicate with each other between the watchtowers on the fields.
This is both a creative and spontaneous performing art form and a fun and intellectual folk game (combining music, poetry, acting, painting and literature).
On December 7, 2017, the art of Bài Chòi in Central Vietnam was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
6. Practicing the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship (2016)
The Vietnamese belief in worshiping the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms is a mixture of indigenous Vietnamese religion and some elements of imported religions such as Taoism and Buddhism.
Since the 16th century, the practice of this belief has become a cultural activity with profound influence on the social life and consciousness of the Vietnamese people.
On December 1, 2016, the Vietnamese Mother Goddess Worship Practices were officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
7. Tug of War Rituals and Games (2015)
The “Sitting Tug of War” ritual at Tran Vu Temple (Hanoi) was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014. UNESCO recognized “Tug of War Rituals and Games” as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 4 provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hanoi, including “Sitting Tug of War” at Tran Vu Temple, Thach Ban Ward (Long Bien District, Hanoi). Photo: Nhat Anh/ VNA
Tug of War Rituals and Games are widely practiced in rice farming cultures in many East Asian countries to pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, or predictions regarding the success or failure of farming efforts.
In Vietnam, tug-of-war rituals and games are concentrated in the midlands, the Red River Delta and North Central Coast, and some places in the northern mountainous regions.
On December 2, 2015, Tug of War rituals and games in Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea and the Philippines were officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
8. Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam folk songs (2014)
Vi and Giam folk songs of Nghe Tinh are two types of folk songs without accompaniment, created by the communities of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, passed down during the production process and closely associated with the daily life of the Nghe An community.
On November 27, 2014, Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam folk songs were officially recognized as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
9. Southern Vietnamese Traditional Music Art (2013)
Southern amateur music is a Vietnamese folk music genre, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and a UNESCO title in Vietnam with a large area of influence covering 21 southern provinces and cities. Photo: Minh Duc/VNA
Don ca tai tu is a typical folk art form of the Southern region, formed and developed from the late 19th century on the basis of ritual music, Hue royal court music and folk literature.
The art of Southern Vietnamese Traditional Music is constantly being created thanks to improvisation and the transformation according to the practitioner's emotions on the basis of 20 original songs (ancestral songs) and 72 ancient songs.
On December 5, 2013, Southern Vietnamese folk music was officially listed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
10. Hung King Worship (2012)
For thousands of years, Vietnamese people have created, practiced, cultivated and passed down the Hung King worship belief to show gratitude to the nation's founder.
The most typical manifestation of Hung King worship in Phu Tho is the Hung King's death anniversary, held on the 10th day of the third lunar month every year at the Hung Temple Historical Relic Site.
On December 6, 2012, the Hung King worship ritual was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
11. Xoan Singing Art (2011 and 2017)
Xoan singing performance of Phu Ninh district, Phu Tho province. Photo: Ta Toan/VNA
Xoan singing, originating from the form of singing to worship the Hung Kings, is one of the unique cultural activities of the people of Phu Tho.
On November 24, 2011, Xoan singing was inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding of Humanity.
On December 8, 2017, Xoan singing was removed by UNESCO from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
12. Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple and Soc Temple (2010)
The Gióng Festival at Phù Đổng Temple and Sóc Temple (Hanoi) is associated with the legend of a boy born to his mother in a strange way in Phù Đổng village.
The Gióng Festival at Phù Đổng Temple (Phú Đổng Commune, Gia Lâm District – where Thánh Gióng was born) takes place from the 7th to the 9th day of the 4th lunar month. The Gióng Festival at Sóc Temple (Phú Linh Commune, Sóc Sơn District, where he was sanctified and rode his horse to heaven) takes place from the 6th to the 8th day of the 1st lunar month.
On November 16, 2010, the Gióng Festival at Phù Đổng Temple and Sóc Temple was officially inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
13. Ca Tru Art (2009)
Ca tru (also known as hat a dao) has a special place in the traditional music treasure of Vietnam, closely associated with festivals, customs, beliefs, literature, ideology and philosophy of life of the Vietnamese people.
This art form was very popular in cultural life in Vietnam from the beginning of the 20th century onwards.
On October 1, 2009, Ca Tru was inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding of Humanity.
14. Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Songs (2009)
Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs have been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA
Quan Ho is a folk song of the Northern Delta region, mainly concentrated in the Kinh Bac region (Bac Ninh and Bac Giang). This is a form of antiphonal singing between men and women to express feelings and praise love through simple, soulful lyrics.
Quan Ho is practiced in cultural and social activities of the community; it is preserved and passed down through many generations, becoming a local identity and spreading into a unique cultural space.
On September 30, 2009, Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs were officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
15. Central Highlands Gong Culture Space (2005)
The Central Highlands Gong Culture Space spans five provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong.
Gongs are closely associated with the lives of the Central Highlands people, as an indispensable part throughout the life cycle of each person and in almost all important events of the community: from ear blowing ceremonies for newborns, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, buffalo stabbing ceremonies on grave abandonment day to water trough worship ceremonies, new rice celebrations, warehouse closing ceremonies, new Rong house celebrations...
On November 25, 2005, the Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space was officially recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
16. Hue Royal Court Music (2003)
Hue Royal Court Music - a scholarly music genre, a symbol of royal court music, was officially listed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and honored as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in the heart of the peaceful ancient capital. Photo: Minh Duc/ VNA
Nha Nhac is the royal court music of the feudal period, performed during royal festivals, ceremonies or important events (coronation of the king, reception of ambassadors...).
Developed from the 13th century in Vietnam, during the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue Royal Court Music developed brilliantly and reached its most complete level.
According to UNESCO's assessment, among traditional music genres in Vietnam, Nha Nhac has reached national stature.
On November 7, 2003, Hue Royal Court Music was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-hoa/16-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-cua-viet-nam-duoc-unesco-ghi-danh-20241205074657580.htm
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