“Bai Choi” singing recognised as UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity

12/8/2017 - 9:25:42 AM

"Bai Choi” singing (a popular folklore style of singing in the central and south central regions of Vietnam), has been added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A performance of "Bai Choi" singing

The decision was announced on November 7 during the 12th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is being held in Jeju, the Republic of Korea.

‘Bai Choi’ singing was one of 34 nominations considered by the committee for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the working session.

The dossier of Bai Choi singing met all of the necessary criteria and was highly appreciated by all of the 24 Committee members.

The UNESCO Council acknowledged Bai Choi singing as an important communal cultural activity, meeting the entertainment and arts demands of the community. Stories featured in the art form convey ethic lessons about patriotism, solidarity in the communities, and the experiences of ancestors.

The submitted dossier of Bai Choi also detailed the efforts made both in the past and at present to preserve the art form of the community, groups, and art clubs under the support of Vietnamese Government.

UNESCO’s recognition of Bai Choi reaffirmed the diversity of culture in Vietnam’s ethnic groups.

Bai Choi singing is popular in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa and Da Nang.

Bai Choi is often seen at local spring festivals and resembles a game, using playing cards and village huts. The Bai Choi songs are about festivals, daily life and work and are accompanied by musical instruments.

Bai Choi singing became the tenth Vietnamese cultural practice to be awarded UNESCO’s intangible heritage status, together with the Mother Goddesses belief of three realms, Vi Dam singing, Don Ca Tai Tumusic, the worship of Hung Kings, the Giong festival, love duet singing in Bac Ninh province, Hue's royal court music, Gong space culture in the Central Highlands, and folk tugging rituals and games.

Previously, the cultural practice was honoured by Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in November 2014.

Source: NDO

Mai Chau district works to preserve Thai ethnic minority group's Xoe dance

Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.

Model of preserving Muong ethnic cultural identity in Bac Son pre-school

The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.

Lac Son district preserves Muong ethnic people’s cultural heritage

Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.

Building space to preserve Muong ethnic culture in Tan Lac district

If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.

Outstanding young artisan promotes national cultural heritage values

Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.

Gov’t agrees to submit Mo Muong heritage dossier to UNESCO

The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).