(VOVworld)-Thousands of people gathered in the northern midland province of Phu Tho on Saturday night for a ceremony to honor Hat Xoan (Xoan singing), a unique local art form. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan praised local people and authorities’ efforts to preserve Xoan singing, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a world intangible cultural heritage that needs urgent protection. “We’re proud of UNESCO’s recognition of Xoan singing. Hat Xoan should be further promoted in Phu Tho so that all local secondary students can sing it by 2015”, Mr. Nhan said. Hat Xoan is often performed in the new spring in a temple or communal house to worship a village’s tutelary god. Phu Tho authorities are preparing necessary dossiers to be submitted to UNESCO for recognition of the belief of worshipping the Hung Kings, the founders of the Vietnamese nation more than 4000 years ago.