(VOVworld) – The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage ensures respect for a community’s heritages and enhances awareness of citizens and countries of the importance of intangible heritages. In 10 years of membership in the convention, Vietnam has taken positive steps forward in realizing its international commitment.

Intangible heritage is an important part of each nation’s cultural treasure and an aspect of cultural diversity that ensures sustainable development. The Vietnamese government has been involved in the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritages even before the UNESCO convention was adopted in 2003. Vietnam’s 1997 national target program on culture set out tasks of collecting, preserving and upholding cultural values of ethnic groups. Doctor Nguyen Tri Ben of the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies told VOV: “The largest impact of the 2003 convention is that Vietnam has built a law on cultural heritage, which includes a chapter on intangible cultural heritage. We have effectively collected, documented and studied intangible cultural heritage for preservation and development. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has built a data bank of intangible the cultural heritage of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Vietnam’s law on cultural heritage and UNESCO’s 2003 convention awaken the awareness of the community and state agencies to the value of these heritages”.

A performance of Xoan singing in Phu Tho province

According to the 2012-2015 national program, the state budget for the preservation of intangible heritage is about 8 million USD, while the local budget is more than 2 million USD. Intangible cultural heritage is the soul of society and the local community is the creator, protector and beneficiary of these cultural values. Tran Minh Ca, Vice Chairman of the Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee, shares his province’s experiences:  “Quang Nam is well aware of the importance of protecting and upholding intangible cultural heritage, particularly at world cultural heritage sites such as Hoi An, the My Son sanctuary, and the Cham islet biosphere reserve. We particularly advocate the role and responsibility of the community in heritage preservation via building a community-based cultural environment and boosting sustainable socio-economic development”.

As a signatory to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Vietnam is considered a success story according to Professor Oska Salemink of Amsterdam University: “Vietnam is one of the most successful countries in the number of heritages recognized by UNESCO. Ca Tru singing is an example. 15 years ago, only  a few elderly people could sing Ca Tru. At that time, the Ministry of Culture organized classes in Hanoi for young singers. Now Ca Tru is recognized. We can enjoy this folk singing right in the heart of Hanoi. Many Vietnamese, including the younger generation and foreigners are familiar with Ca Tru”.

A performance of Ca Tru singing (Photo: Quang Trung)

At a workshop to review Vietnam’s 10-year membership in the UNESCO convention, Pham Cao Phong, Secretary General of the Vietnam UNESCO National Committee, said that it has made a big difference:  “Intangible cultural heritage constitutes an important part of Vietnamese culture. Among them, 7 have been inscribed by UNESCO, reflecting our rich culture full of national characteristics. On the one hand, it means that Vietnam is actively contributing to the global inventory of heritage, diversifying humanity’s spiritual life”.