UNESCO official hails Vietnam’s role in protecting intangible cultural heritages
Vietnam has played an active role in implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention) in both international and national scales, stated Chief of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section of UNESCO and Secretary of the 2003 Convention Tim Curtis.
A performance of Hue court music, a UNESCO-recognised world intangible cultural heritage (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn)
Paris (VNA) – Vietnam has playedan active role in implementing the Convention for the Safeguarding of theIntangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention) in both international andnational scales, stated Chief of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section ofUNESCO and Secretary of the 2003 Convention Tim Curtis.
In an interview granted to Vietnam NewsAgency's correspondent in Paris, Curtis said that Vietnam is currently home to 15 recognised intangible heritagesand the first country to switch some heritages from the list of urgentprotection to the list of the common heritage of the humanity.
The country has also showed its active rolethrough its engagement in the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguardingof the Intangible Cultural Heritage twice.
Vietnam has supplemented the CulturalHeritage Law 2009 with a number of new cultural policies, including therecognition of intangible cultural heritage.
Currently in Vietnam, intangible culturalheritages are recognised not only in national policies but also by all regions, alllocalities and all ethnic groups, he said, hailing Vietnam’s strong efforts inthe work.
Chief of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section of UNESCO and Secretary of the 2003 Convention Tim Curtis (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam has been aware of the role ofculture in the sustainable development and has put culture at a highposition in its national development policy, he stated, underlining that thisis an important message that the country is spreading.
According to Curtis, the 2003 Convention,which has taken effect for 20 years, has been ratified by 181 UNESCO membercountries, showing that the convention is meaningful for all.
Regarding measures that Vietnam should taketo protect its intangible cultural heritages, Curtis said that the protectionof intangible cultural heritage takes place through the transfer between generations which must ensure its continuity.
It is necessary to design new mechanism,while working with communities and integrating knowledge on heritageinto education and paying more attention to young people, as they are the person who will transferthe knowledge to future generations, he said.
Overall, the protection of intangiblecultural heritage should aim at achieving sustainable development goals eitherin agriculture, education or poverty reduction, he said, adding that intangiblecultural heritage matters should also be integrated into development policies.Vietnam has so far shown strong performance in the work and should continue tofollow this direction, he stated./.
The south-central province of Binh Thuan is home to four national-level intangible cultural heritages, namely the Kate Festival, pottery craft of Cham people, Thay Thim Palace festival, and Cau Ngu festival in Van Thuy Tu temple. Each of these has contributed to promoting the local tourism industry.
Mo Muong, a cultural heritage of Muong ethnic minority group in Thanh Hoa and Phu Tho provinces; Dinh Co Festival in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province; and the art of traditional weaving of the Ba Na ethnic minority in Kon Tum province are among 14 new national intangible cultural heritages recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has decided to approve a project on preserving and upholding the value of folk literature of ethnic minorities till 2030.
People and visitors to Bac Ninh province had the chance to enjoy an intangible cultural heritage party with smooth and loving songs during the quan họ (love duet) festival held recently in the northern province.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
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.
A performance of Hue court music, a UNESCO-recognised world intangible cultural heritage (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn) 
Chief of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Section of UNESCO and Secretary of the 2003 Convention Tim Curtis (Photo: VNA) 
