A ceremony awards the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's recognition of Pao Dung singing and Ky Yen festival as intangible cultural heritage (Photo: Hoang Giang/ VNA)

Pa Dung is the traditional singing of the Dao people who live in northern Vietnam. It is performed during important events such as weddings, funerals, and the coming of age ceremony.

The Ky Yen festival has long been a tradition of the Tay people. It worships the groups’ ancestors, embodying the Vietnamese motto “when drinking water, remember the source”.