An Giang receives UNESCO recognition certificate and opens Sam Mountain Lady Festival

(Fatherland) - On the evening of March 19, at the Sam Mountain National Tourist Area, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province, the ceremony to receive the UNESCO certificate recognizing "Via Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival" as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity and the opening of the Via Ba Chua Xu Festival in 2025 was held.

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Mai Van Chinh, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister; leaders of central ministries, branches and localities; former leaders of the Party and State; on the side of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, there was Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong; on the side of international guests, there was Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam; leaders and former leaders of An Giang province and a large number of people inside and outside the province.

An Giang Provincial leaders received a certificate from UNESCO recognizing "Via Ba Chua Xu Festival of Sam Mountain" as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

On December 4, 2024, the 19th Conference of the Intergovernmental Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage officially issued a Resolution to inscribe "Via Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival" on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh said that this is an important event to honor and promote the heritage of the Ba Chua Xu Festival in Sam Mountain, An Giang Province. At the same time, promote the traditional cultural heritage values ​​of An Giang Province to the domestic and foreign communities... The organization of the UNESCO Certificate Reception Ceremony and the Opening of the Ba Chua Xu Festival in Sam Mountain aims to honor, promote and widely promote the heritage values ​​of An Giang to the people and tourists. To raise awareness of the domestic and international communities about the cultural, historical values ​​and significance of the Ba Chua Xu Festival in Sam Mountain. Through that, it will enhance the responsibility of all levels, sectors and localities in the work of preserving and promoting the values ​​of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Promote the historical and cultural values ​​of An Giang land and people, affirm the rich cultural identity of the Kinh, Hoa, Cham, Khmer ethnic communities..., introduce typical local products, and promote tourism development in the direction of sustainable development.

“The Via Ba Chua Xu Festival of Sam Mountain is listed in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the people of An Giang ethnic groups and relevant ministries, departments, branches and localities need to pay attention to protecting the cultural space of the ethnic groups; preserving and promoting the value of the festival in particular and the cultural heritage of Vietnam in general,” Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh speaks at the ceremony

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh expressed his hope that international organizations, especially UNESCO, will continue to accompany Vietnam in preserving and promoting traditional cultural values, spreading the quintessence of national culture in the flow of human culture.

According to legend, locals discovered an ancient statue on the top of Sam Mountain but could not move it. Later, a girl was told in a dream that only nine virgins could bring the statue down, and miraculously, it was successful. Over the centuries, Ba Chua Xu Temple gradually became an important religious center for the people of the South. Initially, the temple was just a small temple built of simple bamboo. Up to now, the temple has been renovated and has become a sacred destination attracting millions of visitors every year, especially during the festival season from April 22 to 27 of the lunar calendar.

“The Festival of Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam” was recognized by UNESCO as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity; This is not only a great honor for An Giang province but also a common pride of the whole country, and an opportunity to honor and promote the unique values ​​of the Heritage and the image of An Giang homeland with rich historical and cultural traditions to the people of the whole country and international friends, arousing national pride, raising the sense of responsibility of all levels, sectors and communities in the work of preserving and promoting the values ​​of the cultural heritage of the nation and humanity, contributing to socio-economic development. UNESCO's recognition of the festival as a representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity is a testament to the unique value of a traditional cultural heritage. At the same time, this event also sets out the responsibility for preserving and promoting the value of “The Festival of Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam”, said Mr. Le Hong Quang, Secretary of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee.

Deputy Prime Minister beats drum to open Sam Mountain Lady Festival

The fact that the Via Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival was recognized by UNESCO as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is an important event in the process of preserving and promoting the value of the Via Ba Chua Xu Nui Sam Festival. This recognition is a testament to the unique cultural values ​​and sustainable vitality of the Festival through many generations, and at the same time demonstrates the international community's appreciation for Vietnam's efforts to preserve and promote its cultural heritage.

Unique art activities at the ceremony

“This is not only the joy of the Party Committee, the Government and the people of An Giang, but also the common joy of the people of the Southern Land and the whole country. Therefore, the upcoming task, in the work of preserving and promoting to create favorable conditions for this heritage to develop and ensure its connectivity and sustainability, is extremely important,” said Mr. Le Hong Quang.

At this ceremony, the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism handed over the UNESCO certificate to the leaders of the An Giang Provincial People's Committee. Also at this ceremony, the drum beat was heard, marking the opening of the 2025 Ba Chua Xu Festival./.

Source: https://toquocweb.dev.cnnd.vn/an-giang-don-bang-cong-nhan-cua-unesco-va-khai-hoi-via-ba-chua-xu-nui-sam-20250320060522085.htm