Vietnam Intangible world heritage lists

Besides breathtaking landscapes, stunning beaches, and marvelous caves, Vietnam is also attracted by culture diversity and vast music and festivals. Below is intangible world heritage lists in Vietnam:

  1. Hue Royal Court Music- Nha Nhac Cung Dinh Hue

 Recognized as World Oral History Treasure and Intangible Culture in 2003, Hue Royal Court Music is the first intangible heritage of Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.

Nha Nhac is usually performed at the Vietnamese royal court from the fifteenth to the mid-twentieth century to serves the entertainment demand of the King, royal family, and the court professional, classical and scholarly music.

  1. Space of Gong Culture

Space of Gong Culture is a part of Vietnam's cultural heritage and quintessence has been recognized by the international community. In 2005, it is listed as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible culture of humanity by UNESCO.

Gong is played at the village in many situations as ritual sacrifices, the blessing of the rice, mourning rites and harvest celebrations. For every particular ceremony, there are different arrangements and rhythms. The groups playing the gongs vary in size, as do the hand-held instruments themselves.

In the majority of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands Gong is mainly played by males.

  1. Bac Ninh Alternate Singing

Bac Ninh Alternate singing is one of many genres of Vietnamese folk music and officially recognized as the Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO in 2009. It offend performed in spring festivals in the north of Vietnam

The songs are performed as alternating verses between two women from one village who sing in harmony, and two men from another village who respond with similar melodies, but with different lyrics.

The women traditionally wear distinctive large round hats and scarves; the men’s costumes include turbans, umbrellas, and tunics

  1. Ca Tru Singing

Ca Tru Singing is named as "tally card songs” and this is one of the most uniquely Vietnamese genres of folk music in the Vietnamese treasury of traditional music. It’s considered as of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2009.

Ca Tru Singing is combined entertaining wealthy people as well as performing religious songs for the royal court

  1. Xoan Singing - recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011

Xoan Singing is originated in several localities in Phu Tho Province and usually performed in spring during the first two months of the lunar New Year. There are three types of xoan singing: honoring Hùng kings and village guardian spirits; wishing for good crops, health, and luck; and festive courtship songs alternating male and female voices

  1. Don Ca Tai Tu

Originated from Hue court music and folk music of the southern region, Don Ca Tai Tu is officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 5, 2013

This performance typically performed at festivals, death anniversary rituals, and celebrations by farmer artists

If you have a chance to visit our beloved country, don’t forget to enjoy the best traditional performance and discover stunning world heritage sites

Source: World heritage sites

Further readings