Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac cultural values promoted in France
An event titled “ Bac Ninh – Kinh Bac Cultural Night” was held in Paris on May 31 to promote cultural values of the northern province of Bac Ninh which is often referred to as Kinh Bac – a land with long history and ancient culture in Vietnam.
A Quan ho ( love duet) singing performance at the event. (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)
Paris (VNA)༒ – An event titled “ Bac Ninh – Kinh Bac Cultural Night” was held in Paris on May 31 to promote cultural values of the northern province of Bac Ninh which is often referred to as Kinh Bac – a land with long history and ancient culture in Vietnam.
The event was organised by the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province, the Vietnamese Embassy in France and the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France to mark the 15th anniversary of UNESCO recognition of Bac Ninh Quan Ho (love duet) singing as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2009-2024).
The event saw the participation of nearly 200 people, including about 30 ambassadors of countries to UNESCO, representatives from French agencies and organisations, diplomatic missions and international organisations based in Paris and Vietnamese associations in France.
Participants had a chance to enjoy and learn about Quan Ho singing and Dong Ho painting – two typical cultural values of Kinh Bac.
Previously, Kinh Bac consisted of Bac Giang province and Dong Anh and Long Bien districts of Hanoi. The region is associated with several legends and is considered the cradle of the Dai Viet (Great Viet) civilisation.
Located in the centre of the Red River Delta, Kinh Bac is blessed with fertile land, beautiful landscapes and favorable conditions for economic and cultural exchanges with other localities throughout the country.
Since the early years before Christ, the region was one of the cradles of the wet rice civilization and the founding place of the Great Viet civilisation. Kinh Bac is also famous nationwide for its folk festivals, especially Quan Ho singing, an art form that combines various elements, including music, lyrics and costumes, and features the distinctive culture of people in the region formerly called Kinh Bac.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UNESCO, affirmed that Vietnam always pays attention to protecting intangible cultural heritage and promoting cultural heritage values associated with sustainable development.
As a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term and currently the Vice Chairman of the committee, Vietnam has been strengthening cooperation with other member countries and relevant parties to promote the implementation of the convention, she said./.
Quan Ho love duet singing has been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Bac Ninh province has made efforts to preserve the art to implement commitments to UNESCO on conservation and development of Quan Ho.
The northern province of Bac Ninh has completed a dossier seeking UNESCO’s inclusion of the making of Dong Ho folk paintings in the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
