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At the ceremony (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
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The practices were officially inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019, said the Vietnam News Agency.
Addressing the ceremony held on September 3 evening, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed the accreditation is a national brand that the world has reserved for Vietnam, thereby contributing to the introduction of special cultural heritages in the northern mountainous region to international friends and making this area more attractive to tourists.
It also helps ethnic communities in 11 localities housing the heritage understand more about Then’s value and come up with practical measures for its conservation and promotion in association with the growth of the tourism industry, the State leader said.
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Practices of Then receives a UNESCO certificate as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)
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Highlighting the importance of preserving the heritage, he suggested the localities involved pay attention to building communications programmes, creating favourable conditions for Then artists to educate younger generations, and collecting and publishing related ancient documents.
According to UNESCO, Then, an essential ritual practice in the spiritual life of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic minority groups in Vietnam, reflects concepts about human beings, the natural world and the universe. Then ceremonies describe a journey in which the Then Master (male or female) controls ghost soldiers travelling from the earth realm to the heaven realm, to offer items of worship and present their prayers for peace, for treating illnesses, good crops, a happy new year, etc.
Then is always transmitted orally while its rituals are conducted, reflecting its succession between the generations, and Then Masters play a key role in passing on the related skills and know-how, with some conducting around 200 ceremonies a year.
Cao Lanh is recognized by UNESCO as a city of learning
Cao Lanh city in the Mekong River Delta province of Dong Thap, along with 76 cities from 43 other countries, was officially listed in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
Cao Lanh was the fifth city in Vietnam to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, following Hai Duong (2015), Ho Chi Minh City (2015), and Sa Dec and Vinh (2020), according to the Nhan Dan Newspaper.
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Cao Lanh city in the Mekong River Delta province of Dong Thap (Photo: baodautu.vn)
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This award aimed to honour the cities for their great efforts in promoting lifelong learning in the community.
The UNESCO’s recognition of Cao Lanh city is expected to help locals have more favourable opportunities in exchanging their ideas, knowledge and experience with other member cities around the world, as well as access to experts and researchers in the field of education, to update knowledge and practices.
In addition, the title of “UNESCO Global Learning City” is the international community's recognition of Cao Lanh’s prestige; thereby the city can attract more investment and human resources toward sustainable and prosperous development.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said the newly-recognised learning cities are well-deserved thanks to their excellent expertise and efforts to transform the interests in learning into reality.
To adapt to new challenges and maintain a good reading culture, Cao Lanh city has introduced much innovative software and organised seminars, conferences and meetings related to education and reading. Besides, the locality has actively promoted the role of student and youth unions at all levels in gathering and building a generation of Vietnamese people who are passionate about learning, business, science and technology.
Nearly 800 children from Vietnam-Laos border areas enjoy Mid-Autumn Festival
Nearly 800 teenagers and children from Huong Viet and Huong Lap communes, in Huong Hoa district and from Seponh district, Savannakhet province, Laos, enjoyed the Mid-Autumn Festival.
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At the event (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
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The festival held on September 3 featured two programs, which were held by the Huong Lap Border Guard Station under the Quang Tri Provincial Border Guard.
Especially, the programs drew the participation of 150 children and teenagers from Laos, reported the Nhan Dan Newspaper.
On the occasion, the organisation board presented 30 scholarships to students who had overcome difficulties to gain outstanding achievements in their studies, nearly 800 gifts to children and teenagers, and gifts to the people’s committees and schools in Huong Viet and Huong Lap communes.
The festival was part of activities marking the 60th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962-2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of their Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
Da Nang targets new international tourism markets
Da Nang, a tourism hub in central Vietnam, is seeking to attract tourists from India, Australia, the Philippines, and other places as opposed to traditional markets such as Russia and China due to external factors.
Attractive tourist sites coupled with beautiful beaches in the central region are typically popular tourist destinations among Russian and Chinese visitors. However, central localities have received almost no visitors from these two key markets due to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict and China’s ongoing zero-COVID policy, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
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Tourists in Da Nang city (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
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Located in the central region as a tourism hub, Da Nang city is seeking alternative sources of visitors from new markets such as India, which is widely considered a potential tourism market with a population of approximately 1.4 billion.
Currently, an average of roughly 6,000 Indian tourists enter the country every day, 24 times more than previously recorded, according to statistics unveiled by the tourism industry.
Nguyen Nhu Nam, general director of the Vietnam TravelMart Joint Stock Company, revealed that the firm recently received many Indian couples visiting the central region to survey venues for wedding ceremonies at coastal resorts.
“Some of the visiting couples have chosen Da Nang as the venue for their coming wedding,” he said.
Along with exploiting the Indian market, tourism businesses in Da Nang are preparing services such as restaurants and hotels in order to serve this new segment of guests.
According to Nguyen Duc Quynh, chairman of the Da Nang Hotel Association, restaurants designated for Indian guests are typically small, serving between 30 and 60 people. The Da Nang Hotel Association has therefore mapped out a strategy of bringing in Indian chefs to cook unique dishes specifically for Indian tourists.
Along with the Indian market, Da Nang is also targeting a number of other international markets such as Australia and the Philippines. The Asian route development forum 2022 (Routes Asia 2022) which was held in June provides an opportunity for Da Nang to quickly recover and open new international routes to Australia, India, and the Philippines.
The Da Nang Department of Tourism reported that there will be nine airlines operating roughly 2,700 international flights and bringing in about 360,000 passengers to Da Nang between the end of October and March, 2023.
Nguyen Xuan Binh, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, said that the central city has adjusted plans to restore and develop the international tourist market to Da Nang in late 2022 and for early 2023. The city’s tourism industry will update to market changes and trends in customer tastes so they are ready to welcome visitors from India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
According to the official, the city will organise special cultural and tourism events as part of efforts to attract tourists to Da Nang.
“The tourism industry of Da Nang has worked with many tourism businesses and airlines to develop plans for these events. Besides traditional routes, we will promote the opening of new routes from potential markets such as India, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia to the city in the near future,” said Binh./.