The Vietnamese delegation pose for a photo on the sidelines of the 14th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (Photo: VNA)

The recognition came during the 14^th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Colombia on Thursday. Then singing is an integral part of the spiritual life of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups, practiced in many northern provinces as well as the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak. The ethnic groups believe Then singing was handed down from a God who lives in a mysterious world which only “Ong Then” and “Ba Then” can contact. During rituals, “Ong Then” and “Ba Then” sing and play a musical instrument while presenting offerings to the God, thus contacting the God on behalf of the community and asking him for things such as good health, bumper crops, happiness, and long life. Then singing is traditionally accompanied by a handmade gourd lute, called Dan Tinh or Tinh Tau. Closely linked with the spiritual life of ethnic minority groups, who often use ceremonial offerings to treat illnesses, Then singing is also seen as a therapy, together with medicine, that can ease the worries of patients and their families.