Rampant redwood logging destroys national heritage site (01-10-2008) DAC NONG — Rampant illegal logging of redwood (Afzelia xylocarpa) in the Central Highlands province of Dac Nong is threatening to destroy a national historical and cultural heritage site. Forest rangers say that meager resources and resourceful loggers have heavily damaged the 1,300-ha Dray Sap special use forest in Krong No District. The forest and the waterfalls of Gia Long and Dray Sap in Dac So Commune have been recognised as a national historical and cultural heritage site, that the Dac Nong Trade and Tourism Company manages to exploit its tourism potential. Le Men, deputy director of the Gia Long-Dray Sap Waterfalls area, says loggers enter the forest from all sides at day and night to log redwood. Redwood is a highly sought after wood for its beauty and sturdiness against the elements, and widely used in interior decorations including wooden-tiled floors, Men says. "The company has only three people to … [Read more...] about Rampant redwood logging destroys national heritage site
National heritage board
‘Then’ singing named national heritage
Traditional ethnic Tay singing known as then was officially recognised on Sunday, Feb 17, as an example of the nation’s intangible cultural heritage by representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Nguyen Viet Thanh, head of the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that while the festival organised by Tay people in Tuyen Quang had been preserved and promoted for a long time, it deserved more protection as intangible national heritage. Thanh said authorities planned to organise various activities in the near future to preserve the Long Tong festival and then singing rituals. The ancient style of singing, which expresses the emotions and daily activities of working people, is a distinctive musical genre of Tay communities. The art is divided into two forms, then ky yen which is sung to pray for good fortune, and then le hoi, which is performed at festivals to entertain people and ease the hardships of life. Then singing ceremonies … [Read more...] about ‘Then’ singing named national heritage
Danang renovates national heritage
Danang renovates national heritage The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the central city of Danang last week began the restoration of Thac Gian Temple, a national heritage in Thanh Khe District, with the total investment of over VND4 billion, the Vietnam News Agency reports. About half of the investment will be spent on site clearance and compensation while the rest will be used to restore 11 works on 1,400 square meters of the temple. The project will be completed in six months. … [Read more...] about Danang renovates national heritage
Con Son Kiep Bac Spring Festival —Special National Heritage
(VOVworld)-The Con Son – Kiep Bac Spring Festival 2013 will begin on February 24th, the 15th day of the first lunar month, in the northern province of Hai Duong. Con Son Kiep Bac Spring Festival —Special National Heritage During this time, Hai Duong province will announce the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism recognizing Con Son – Kiep Bac Festival as the national intangible heritage. The festival which will be kicked off with an incense offering ceremony to commemorate the death of monk Huyen Quang, the third founder of the Truc Lam Buddhism sect at the Con Son – Kiep Bac historical site. It will be followed by various cultural and sporting events, including Quan Ho (love duets) and cheo (traditional opera) singing, wrestling, cock-fighting and performances of traditional arts. Mr Nguyen Khac Minh, head of the Con Son—Kiep Bac relic site management board said: “What new about this year spring festival is the contest of … [Read more...] about Con Son Kiep Bac Spring Festival —Special National Heritage
Sitting tug-of-war is a national heritage
An unusual game, the sitting tug-of-war, has been listed as a National Intangible Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Male villagers take part in a tug-of-war ceremony, which has been listed as a National Intangible Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. — VNA/VNS Photo Residents of Thach Ban Commune in Hanoi's Long Bien District and officials of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism celebrated the recognition on April 21, which coincided with the Tran Vu Festival, where the game, a ceremonial performance, is typically held. The Tran Vu Festival is celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month. Ngo Quang Khai, the head of the managing board of Tran Vu Temple, said the legend is that the village used to suffer from such severe drought that conflict often broke out between the young men of three hamlets, Duong (which is currently Thach Ban Commune), Cho and Dia. It is from the ensuing pulling of water buckets that … [Read more...] about Sitting tug-of-war is a national heritage