Vietnam’s Quan Ho folk songs were recognised as “Intangible Cultural Heritage” by UNESCO on September 30.

UNESCO declared the list of “intangibles” at the 4^th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage, which took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

From Abu Dhabi, Dr. Nguyen Chi Ben, dean of the Culture and Art Institute and member of the National Heritage Council said that this is a great news for the two provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang - the home to Quan ho folk songs - and for Vietnam in general.

Ben said on October 1, Vietnam’s Ca Tru singing will also be considered as intangible heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

Many of the villages still practising the singing are twinned and reinforce their relationship through customs such as Quan Họ folk songs. 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 the same tune but different lyrics.

To date Vietnam has had three such intangibles recognised by UNESCO. They are the Hue city royal court music, the gong area Central Highlands and now the Quan ho folk song.

Quan ho folk songs stand alongside 76 additions to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. These 76 were decided by 24 member states of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage.

Among the 76 are the tango of Argentina and Uruguay, the traditional Ainu dance of Japan and France’s Aubusson tapestries.

PV