Ninh Thuan (VNA) – A ceremonywas held in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan on June 15 to receivethe UNESCO certificate inscribing the art of pottery making of Cham people onthe list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding andkick off the Ninh Thuan Grape - Wine Festival 2023.

The event in Phan Rang - Thap Chamcity took place in the presence of President Vo Van Thuong and central andlocal officials.

In his remarks, Deputy PrimeMinister Tran Hong Ha said the UNESCO recognition is an affirmation of Vietnam’s cultural identity in theworld’s cultural heritage treasure and also shows respect for women’s role in themodern society.

From now on, the art becomes acommon asset of humanity, he noted.

Meanwhile, with theirindustriousness and endless creativity, local residents have successfully grownmany high-yield grape varieties, turning Ninh Thuan into a magnet of experiencetourism for travellers.

The biennial Grape - Wine Festivalis an occasion to honour farmers, entrepreneurs, and scientists and seekopportunities for popularising the brand of Ninh Thuan grapes and wine to thedomestic and international markets so that the products can become a typicalcultural identity of the province, according to Ha.

He asked the Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism and Ninh Thuan to build more detailed and practical plans onpreserving and bringing into play tangible and intangible cultural heritagevalues, improve people’s material and spiritual lives, and create a culturalenvironment in the community.

The Deputy PM called on all-level authorities, sectors, and the entire societyto join hands in upholding UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage pieces as wellas others so that the fine traditional cultural values will accompany thecountry on the development path and contribute to the world’s culture.

On this occasion, he also appreciated international friends’ valuable assistancefor Vietnam to maintain and promote traditional cultural values.

Activities in celebration of theUNESCO certificate reception and the Grape - Wine Festival 2023 last from June13 to 18. They include 12 special cultural, sports, and tourism activities atthe provincial level, and a wide range of other events at the district levelacross Ninh Thuan.

Earlier on June 15, President Thuongvisited artisans and residents of Bau Truc, an ancient pottery village in PhuocDan township of Ninh Phuoc district.

Cham pottery products are mainly householdutensils, religious objects, and fine art works, including jars, pots, trays,and vases. They are made by women and viewed as an expression of individualcreativity based on the knowledge transmitted within the community. Instead ofusing a turntable, the women revolve around the piece to shape it. The potteryis not glazed but fired outdoors with firewood and straw for seven to eighthours, at a temperature of about 800 degrees Celsius. Raw materials (clay,sand, water, firewood and straw) are collected locally, and the knowledge andskills are passed on to younger generations within families through hands-onpractice./.