Yen Bai: Promoting the preservation of intangible cultural heritage

Yen Bai province has many intangible cultural heritages with significant cultural values, such as the Gau Tao festival, Xoe Thai dance, the art of the Mong people's panpipe dance, the "Cap Sac" ceremony of Dao people ... Notely, the art of Xoe Thai Dance was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. Therefore, the work of preserving intangible cultural heritages is also always focused and promoted.

According to the issued decision, specific annual goals include: organizing inventory and documenting intangible cultural heritage to determine the current status and create effective conservation plans. The inventoried heritages include all types specified in Circular No. 04/2010/TT-BVHTTDL dated June 30, 2010 of the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism regulating the inventory of intangible cultural heritage and the preparation of scientific records of intangible cultural heritage for inclusion in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, including: 

(1) Folk performing arts

 (2) Folk knowledge

 (3) Traditional crafts

 (4) Traditional festivals

 (5) Social practices and customs

 (6) Languages and scripts

 (7) Folk literature

In addition, conservation work is also specifically promoted, such as: 

Data documentation through the collection, editing, and systematic organization of information to be used in fostering, introducing, and promoting on websites and electronic information portals.

Community support for the revival of traditional festivals and rituals, including the development of a profile for the Khen Mong Art to nominate it for UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; the inclusion of 10 heritages in the national intangible cultural heritage list; the implementation of 67 provincial-level heritage conservation projects; and the organization of at least 20 classes to pass on intangible cultural heritage practices.

Organize to honor and award titles in the field of intangible culture every year. Prepare documents to propose 2 people for the title "People’s Artisan” and 3 people for "Meritorious Artisan,” and consider honoring at least 35 artisans in the field of intangible cultural heritage in Yen Bai province. 

Instructional classes on folk singing, folk dancing, ethnic languages, and scripts, alongside periodic festivals and competitions under the theme "Colors of Ethnic Cultures in Yen Bai Province.”

Yen Bai province not only focuses on purely preserving heritage but also on promoting the value of heritage in contemporary life. Systematizing and applying information technology helps improve the effectiveness of conservation work in the digital age. Teaching activities in the community, supporting folk artists, and encouraging the younger generation to participate in preserving traditional culture.