The folk dance, dated from the Dinh Dynasty (968 - 980), has been practiced, preserved and developed for centuries by Xuan Pha villagers in Xuan Truong Commune, Tho Xuan District. It features five dances, namely Hoa Lang, Tu Huan, Ai Lao, Ngo Quoc and Xiem Thanh. The dance was based on the ceremonial music of the dynasty and then was simplified into communal and village ritual music. During the performances, dancers dressed in colourful costumes and wore masks and make-up to render themselves unrecognisable. The Xuan Pha dance is performed at the village’s traditional annual festival on the tenth day of the second lunar month to express gratitude to the gods and to pray for prosperity and bumper crops while helping entertain local people after a year of hard work. The dance has also been performed at many major events of the country, including President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday celebrations, the National Day, Hue Festivals and the ceremony marking Thang Long–Hanoi … [Read more...] about Thanh Hoa: Xuan Pha folk dance recognised as national heritage
National heritage foundation
Legislation to save nation’s heritage
The nation’s cultural heritage needs strong legal backing to ensure their preservation and protection, a senior Government official said. Hoang Anh Tuan, minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said new laws were necessary to prevent damage to relics and monuments. He also stressed the importance of relevant agencies in supervising application of the law. Le Thanh Vinh, head of the Institute for Conservation of Monuments, said the new laws should clarify every step taken so that relics, monuments and heritage sites are not defaced because of wrong measures are applied. The Government also asked authorities to invest funds from local budgets for restoration and protection work. At the 12th international UNESCO-University and Heritage Forum in Ha Noi, local and foreign delegates emphasised the role of the youth in protecting the nation’s cultural heritage. Students and teachers need to improve their knowledge of cultural heritage protection and encourage participation in … [Read more...] about Legislation to save nation’s heritage
Quang Cung temple given national heritage status
Quang Cung Temple in northern Nam Dinh province that worships Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh, one of four immortals in Vietnamese folklore , has been recognised as part of the nation’s cultural historical heritage. The honour was presented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at a ceremony on April 11. Located in Yen Dong commune, Y Yen district, the temple was built on the foundations of Lieu Hanh’s house, where she is said to have been reborn. As the legend goes, Lieu Hanh’s first descent to earth was on the sixth day of the third lunar month of Giap Dan (1434) under the reign of King Le Thai Tong. In Quy Ty (1473), she returned to Heaven. Local people established the temple to express their gratitude to the Mother’s great contributions. In 1973, local people dismantled the temple, which was damaged by time and wars, and used its materials for social welfare establishments. With the support of local authorities and contributions from people across … [Read more...] about Quang Cung temple given national heritage status
Cat Ba Archipelago granted national heritage status
Source: tourdulichcatba.com.vn(CPV) - Cat Ba Archipelago in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city, has just been ranked by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national heritage. This is a significant event for the city, which is preparing for the National Tourism Year of Song Hong (Red River) Delta 2013. It is also the foundation for the city to submit Cat Ba - Long Chau area to UNESCO for recognition as a world natural heritage. Earlier, the 27 member National Heritage Council met with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the Hai Phong Municipal People's Committee and approved the profile to submit to UNESCO for recognition of Cat Ba - Long Chau archipelago as a World Natural Heritage area. The council appreciated the quality, preparations and building of the profile by Hai Phong city, noting the biodiversity value as well as natural value of the Cat Ba - Long Chau Archipelago./. … [Read more...] about Cat Ba Archipelago granted national heritage status
The sadness of heritage
VietNamNet Bridge - Relics and heritage are now a very "hot" topic in Vietnam. There were many incidents related to monuments and heritages happening recently, revealing many things to think about...Seriously degraded images of the One Pillar PagodaLiving like prehistoric men, Duong Lam villagers cry for helpDestroying legacy for restoration!Relic restoration: The opportunity to make moneyHeritage syndrome? Let's review, starting from the Central Region! In 1993, Hue ancient citadel in Thua Thien - Hue province was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. It is also the first World Heritage of Vietnam. In 1999, Hoi An ancient town and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam were also recognized as world cultural heritage. The term "Central Region Heritage Road" appeared after that. In 2003, the cave system of Phong Nha - Ke Bang in Quang Binh province was recognized by UNESCO as natural heritage, extending the heritage road to the northern central region. In 2011, the Ho Dynasty … [Read more...] about The sadness of heritage