VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam received the UNESCO certificate honouring Vietnam’s Don Ca Tai Yu as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humankind on February 11 in Ho Chi Minh.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung speaking at the ceremony (Source: VGP)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) held a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the recognition.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung spoke of his personal regard for the unique folk art form, which combines ceremonial singing, Nha Nhac (Hue royal court music) and folk music.

He said that UNESCO’s recognition of Don Ca Tai Tu reflects the appreciation and respect of the international community for the Vietnamese art form, stressing that the acknowledgement not only brings pride to Vietnamese people and southerners particularly but also contributes to the preservation of the cultural treasures of the world.

Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Katherine Muller-Marin presents UNESCO's certificate honouring Don Ca Tai Tu to MoCST Minister Hoang Tuan Anh (Source: VNA)

The accolade is also clear evidence of the vitality of Vietnamese traditional culture during its integration process into the world’s culture, the Government leader added.

He called for joint efforts from the MoCST, local authorities, artists, particularly those living in the homeland of Don Ca Tai Tu, to uphold their responsibility in protecting and promoting the art form.

He also took this occasion to convey his thanks to the UNESCO and international organisations for their support in socio-economic development and cultural preservation in Vietnam over the past years.

While sharing the joy with Vietnamese people on the occasion, Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, Katherine Muller-Marin pledged that UNESCO will accompany the Vietnamese Government on the journey of protecting intangible cultural heritage.

Don Ca Tai Tu was announced by the UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humankind on December 5, 2013 during UNESCO’s 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in Baku city, Azerbaijan.

It is the eighth Vietnamese cultural heritage to be honoured with the title, together with the worship of Hung Kings in Phu Tho Province (2012); Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples, Gia Lam District, Hanoi (2010); Quan Ho (love duet singing) in Bac Ninh Province and Ca Tru (ceremonial singing) (2009); Nha Nhac (Vietnamese court music) in Hue imperial city, and the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands region (2008).

Source: Nhan Dan