Mong ethnic festival added to Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage
Nao pe chau, a festival of the Mong ethnic group in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, was recognised as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.
Cultural activity held during the festival (Source: VNA)
Dien Bien (VNA) - Nao༒ pe chau, a festivওal of the Mong ethnic group in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien, was recognised as part of the national intangible cultural heritage at a ceremony in Nam Pong village, Muong Dang commune, Muong Ang district, on December 16.
After bringing their harvest home in December, the Mong put all work aside to celebrate the Nao pe chau festival with a line-up of cultural activities such as rice-cake pounding, khen dancing, pa pao pillow throwing, a folk ritual to chase off ghosts and monsters and ancestral worship, among others.
During the festival, families and villages gather together to show their gratitude to their ancestors and Gods for supporting them to have robust crops and peaceful life.
In addition to food and offerings, Mong people always prepare new clothes for the occasion as they believe that everything must be fresh for Nao pe chau. They also avoid anger and quarrel.
However, the festival has gradually changed due to cultural integration with few Mong people now able to perform traditional rituals.
Addressing the heritage certificate award ceremony, Chairman of Dien Bien provincial People’s Committee Mua A Son urged local administrations and mass organisations to join hand to preserve the traditional festival.-VNA
The Binh Xuyen district of northern Vinh Phuc province was presented with a certificate recognising its tug of war festival in Huong Canh town as a national intangible cultural heritage on April 2.
The traditional boat race festival, which has been observed for more than 300 years in the Ly Son island district of central Quang Ngai province, is seeking recognition as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.
The Ca Hue ( Hue traditional singing) genre has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
“Mo Muong Hoa Binh”, folklore told by Muong ethnics in northern Hoa Binh province, and 20 Mo artists are officially recognised as cultural heritage under the patronage of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations (VFUA).
Thousands of residents and monks from 142 local Khmer pagodas took part in Ok-Om-Bok (worshipping the moon) festival at Ao Ba Om (Madam Om Pond) relic site in southern Tra Vinh province on November 25
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
The U23 competition will run from June 16 to 22, followed by the U17 event from June 23 to 28, while athletes competing in the U23 category will undergo weight and skill checks ahead of the matches starting June 18, while similar checks for U17 athletes will take place before June 23.
Vietnam continues to sit just behind continental powerhouses Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, China, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Cultural activity held during the festival (Source: VNA)
