Two intangible cultural heritage elements to seek inscription into world lists
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has agreed on the submission of the dossiers on “Mo Muong” and the “art of Cheo” to UNESCO to seek the inscription of these intangible cultural heritage elements into world lists.
"Mo Muong” is a folk performing genre practiced in rituals and associated with the spiritual life and belief of Muong ethnic people. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha hasagreed on the submission of the dossiers on “Mo Muong” and the “art of Cheo” toUNESCO to seek the inscription of these intangible cultural heritage elementsinto world lists.
He made the decision after considering the Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism (MCST)’s proposal and the National Cultural Heritage Council’sverification results, the Government Office informed on March 29.
Accordingly, “Mo Muong”, a heritage of the provinces of HoaBinh, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Son La, and Dak Lak together with Hanoi,will be submitted to UNESCO to seek the status of an intangible culturalheritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
Meanwhile, the “art of Cheo” of the provinces of Thai Binh, NinhBinh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, QuangNinh, Bac Giang, and Thai Nguyen, Hanoi, and Hai Phong city will be submittedto seek the inclusion in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritageof Humanity
A performance at the second festival of amateur Cheo clubs in Bac Giang province in 2023 (Photo: VNA)
The Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO was assigned tocoordinate with the MCST to carry out necessary submission procedures.
“MoMuong” is a folk performing genre practiced in rituals and associated with thespiritual life and belief of Muong ethnic people. It is performed in community activitiesand each family when rituals are held.
As a folk theatre art of Vietnamese people, “Cheo” is popular inthe Red River Delta and the neighbouring northern mountainous and north centralregions. It is often performed at traditional festivals to show gratitude togods for bumper crops and prosperity, and also as a way for farmers to expresstheir thoughts./.
Cheo is a traditional theatrical art imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity. It is believed to have originated in the 10th century and has its roots in village festivals in the Red River Delta.
The northern province of Bac Giang has long been known for “cheo” singing - a type of Vietnamese traditional opera. Regardless of age, local people all share a passion for traditional “cheo” performances.
Mo Muong, a cultural heritage of Muong ethnic minority group in Thanh Hoa and Phu Tho provinces; Dinh Co Festival in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province; and the art of traditional weaving of the Ba Na ethnic minority in Kon Tum province are among 14 new national intangible cultural heritages recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Khuoc village in Phong Chau commune, Dong Hung district, in Thai Binh province is renowned near and far for its unique ancient “Cheo” melodies. Local people are preserving the precious cultural heritage of Khuoc Cheo singing, which is a typical art form of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam.
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"Mo Muong” is a folk performing genre practiced in rituals and associated with the spiritual life and belief of Muong ethnic people. (Photo: VNA) 
A performance at the second festival of amateur Cheo clubs in Bac Giang province in 2023 (Photo: VNA) 
