Nha Nhac - Vietnamese court music (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam possesses an array of intangible cultural heritages that have been recognized by UNESCO. 1. Nha Nhac - Vietnamese court music Inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed in 2003), Nha Nhac, meaning “elegant music” refers to a broad range of musical and dance styles performed at the Vietnamese royal court from the 15th to the mid-20th century. Nha Nhac was generally featured at the opening and closing of ceremonies associated with anniversaries, religious holidays, coronations, funerals and official receptions. Among the numerous musical genres that developed in Vietnam, only Nha Nhac can claim a nationwide scope and strong links with the traditions of other East Asian countries. Nha Nhac performances formerly featured numerous singers, dancers and musicians dressed in sumptuous costumes. Large-scale orchestras included a … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage
Vietnam customs and traditions
Vietnam has six more national intangible cultural heritages
A boat procession during the Thanh Liet Temple Festival in the central province of Nghe An (Photo: baonghean.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam has added six more cultural icons to the list of national intangible cultural heritages under a recent decision by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The additional heritages include a forest worshiping ceremony of the Phu La ethnic minority in the northern mountain province of Ha Giang’s Xin Man district; the Nang Hai Festival or Moon Festival of the ethnic Tay Ngan in Ha Giang province’s Bac Quang district; the Thanh Liet Temple Festival in the central province of Nghe An’s Hung Nguyen district; the Thuong Liet Village Festival in the northern province of Thai Binh’s Dong Hung district; the Doc Cuoc Temple Festival in the central province of Thanh Hoa’s Sam Son town; and the Tho Vuc Temple Festival in the northern province of Tuyen Quang’s Son Duong district. The six intangible cultural … [Read more...] about Vietnam has six more national intangible cultural heritages
Vietnam tourism flourishing, seeking bigger spenders
Vietnam’s landscape provides tourists with new experiences Enhanced image Vietnam’s tourism sector ended 2017 on a high, after fully fulfilling the tasks assigned by the prime minister. Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the Tourism Advisory Board secretariat, said the number of foreign visitors grew 30 percent in 2017. According to the government’s assessment of Vietnam’s economy, services contributed the most to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2017, of which domestic trade and international travel were the main driving forces. “This is a valid assessment of the contribution and importance of tourism in national economic development,” Hoang Nhan Chinh said. The impressive growth of the tourism sector in 2017 was attributed to various factors, in particular, the successful organization of APEC 2017 events that raised awareness of the country’s standing among the 21 member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Nguyen … [Read more...] about Vietnam tourism flourishing, seeking bigger spenders
Foreigners enjoy Tet, its customs and food
For Vietnamese, the holiday is a time to travel to family towns and villages to see relatives they haven’t seen for a long time, to buy new clothes, prepare holiday delicacies and clean the house to welcome Tet. For many foreigners, the holiday is an opportunity to travel around the country or just to enjoy some free time in the relative quiet of the city as it empties out of many of its residents. Those fortunate enough to have Vietnamese friends or co-workers can also experience the holiday’s infectious spirit first hand. Antony Authan, an English teacher, has experienced two Tets in Vietnam and is looking forward to the third. Last year, he was to take part in a longstanding tradition of wishing for a good life, prosperity and wellbeing of the elders at the turn of the Lunar New Year. In addition, he was invited to visit a Vietnamese family on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. Lee Sang Joon, a manager working at a Korean restaurant in Ho Chi Minh … [Read more...] about Foreigners enjoy Tet, its customs and food
Time to relinquish the custom of burning joss-paper offerings
Culture Time to relinquish the custom of burning joss-paper offerings Nguyen Quy Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018,17:21 (GMT+7) Time to relinquish the custom of burning joss-paper offeringsNguyen Quy Vietnam Buddhist Sangha is calling for the public to give up the custom of burning votive paper offerings - PHOTO: NGOC THANH The Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday is undeniably the biggest and most important festival in Vietnam, accompanied with long-held customs and traditions that are deeply ingrained in the hearts of Vietnamese people for centuries. While many customs carry significant religious and cultural values, some others have become an unbearable burden, notably the custom of burning votive paper offerings for the gods and deceased relatives. Thus, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has recently proposed the superstitious practice be relinquished at Buddhist pagodas and temples nationwide. Every year, during certain religious occasions, … [Read more...] about Time to relinquish the custom of burning joss-paper offerings