Honoring Khanh Hoa agarwood heritage

For the first time, within the framework of the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival, the Agarwood Festival will take place with the name "Sacred Land of Agarwood 2025". This is an opportunity to honor the traditional craft of agarwood in Khanh Hoa, and at the same time to have data to build a dossier on the intangible cultural heritage "Folk knowledge - Traditional craft of agarwood in Khanh Hoa".

Scene of reenacting the incense procession ritual in an art program taking place in Nha Trang City. Illustrative photo.

Recently, the Khanh Hoa Agarwood Association sent a document to the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism regarding the organization of the program "Sacred Land of Agarwood 2025" within the framework of the Sea Festival. The event was organized with the aim of contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Khanh Hoa in a close relationship with the agarwood heritage; honoring and introducing the cultural and historical values ​​of the land of Agarwood to friends and tourists near and far; affirming the position and brand of Khanh Hoa agarwood.

According to Mr. Bien Quoc Dung - Chairman of Khanh Hoa Province Agarwood Association, the program "Sacred Land of Agarwood 2025" is an activity in a series of events to honor the cultural heritage of agarwood and the Motherland of Thien YA Na. Therefore, the organization will ensure solemnity with traditional rituals and ceremonies, along with the display and introduction of the agarwood industry. In addition, traditional cultural values ​​​​of studiousness, respect for teachers, filial piety, and humanity will be integrated to guide the younger generation to be responsible for the community. The program is relatively large in scale, taking place in many different locations, with the hope of attracting the attention of people and tourists.

The program is expected to take place from June 3 to 9, at the ritual practice locations at Am Chua National Monument (Dien Khanh District), Ponagar Tower Special National Monument; display and introduction locations at the Provincial Museum, Cu Huan Street area (Nha Trang City). The main activities of this event include: Incense offering ceremony at Am Chua Monument; incense offering ceremony, incense procession, releasing flower lanterns from Ponagar Tower Special National Monument to Cu Huan Street area, with the participation of 1,000 people and 10 lion and dragon dance teams; display and introduction of agarwood products; demonstration of agarwood processing; honoring typical agarwood businesses; honoring agarwood artisans with many contributions... According to the leader of the Provincial Museum, the unit has met to discuss and coordinate the organization of the program "Sacred Land of Agarwood 2025" with the Khanh Hoa Provincial Agarwood Association and agreed to support the space for the association to display, introduce and promote agarwood products in the premises of the Provincial Museum; the two sides closely coordinate in organizing the ceremony to honor the value of agarwood heritage.

Mr. Le Van Hoa - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that in order for the program "Linh Thieng Xua Tram 2025" to take place successfully, the department has requested the Khanh Hoa Province Agarwood Association to preside over and proactively coordinate with the Provincial Museum, Provincial Police, and Nha Trang City People's Committee to organize activities at the correct time and location approved by the Provincial People's Committee. During the organization process, it is necessary to ensure that the traditional ritual part is carried out solemnly and respectfully; the activities and events introducing and promoting agarwood products must comply with current regulations.

Along with the Fishing Festival and the Bird's Nest Festival, the organization of the Agarwood Festival with the theme "Sacred Land of Agarwood 2025" is an activity in the series of traditional festival activities of this Sea Festival. This is also an opportunity to collect information, documents, and images for the construction of a dossier on the intangible cultural heritage "Folk knowledge - Traditional craft of Khanh Hoa agarwood" as a national intangible cultural heritage.

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On January 3, the Provincial People's Committee issued a document agreeing with the proposal of the Department of Culture and Sports (now the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism) on allowing the construction of a dossier on the intangible cultural heritage "Folk knowledge, traditional craft of Khanh Hoa agarwood" as a national intangible cultural heritage. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism presides over and coordinates with relevant agencies, units, localities and organizations to prepare a dossier to submit to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration and inclusion in the list of national intangible cultural heritage in accordance with regulations.

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/tin-top/202503/ton-vinh-di-san-tram-huong-khanh-hoa-5fc4763/