Four more heritages recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has officially released the latest List of National Intangible Cultural Heritages, with the newly merged Phu Tho province proudly contributing four new entries. Notably, two of these newly recognized heritages originate from the former Hoa Binh province.

Artisans from Muong Bi commune, Phu Tho province, exchange insights and perform the Bo Meng tune in a traditional stilt house setting.

The two heritages from the former Hoa Binh province include the art of creating skirt patterns of the Muong people in the Tan Lac, Lac Son, and Yen Thuy districts. Classified as folk knowledge and traditional handicrafts, this heritage is a rich repository of decorative and plastic folk art, reflecting a high level of aesthetic sophistication. The practice of embellishing skirts in traditional Muong attire has ancient origins - deeply intertwined with the history of the Muong ethnic group - and constitutes a fundamental element of their cultural identity.

Also from the former Hoa Binh province, Hat Thuong Rang and Bo Meng of the Muong people have been recognized as forms of folk performing art. With a long-standing tradition, this lyrical genre of folk singing was created and developed by the Muong community in the course of daily life, labor, and production. It holds a central role in their spiritual and cultural life as well as in communal rituals and customs.

Decorative patterns on the waistband of traditional Muong skirts.

From the former Phu Tho province, two additional heritages have been added to the national list: the Ken Robbing Festival in Di Nau commune (now Tho Van commune) and Doi Tet of the Muong people in Thu Cuc commune. With these new entries, the merged Phu Tho province is now home to 39 elements of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The newly recognized heritages underscore the enduring historical and cultural values they embody, as well as their significance in community life. Their inclusion in the national registry serves to heighten public awareness and reinforce the shared responsibility among authorities, cultural sectors, and local communities to safeguard and promote these invaluable cultural assets.

Cam Le – Bui Nam