Paris (VNA) – Looking backon the last 20 years since the adoption of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the IntangibleCultural Heritage in 2003, Vietnam can be proud of its achievementsand active contributions to the implementation of this treaty, not only at thenational but also global level, declared Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, head of Vietnam’s delegation to UNESCO.

The ambassador made the remarks during an interview granted tothe Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the convention’s 20th anniversary (April 18).

She elaborated that at the nationallevel, Vietnam, one of the 30 first states to join this convention, has madenumerous efforts to integrate the treaty’s contents andspirit in its laws, programmes, and projects related to intangible culturalheritage as well as socio-economic aspects.

The country’s experience, knowledge,and efforts in protecting and bringing into play intangible cultural heritagein terms of theory, law, and practice have been highly valued as goodlessons for many countries in the region and the world, contributing to theeffective and practical enforcement of the convention.

By protecting and optimising the value of its15 intangible cultural heritage items recognised by UNESCO, Vietnam has helpedpreserve the representative heritage of humanity and those in need of urgentsafeguarding, Van went on.

At the global level, the country has madeproactive and constructive contributions, especially to the convention’s Inter-governmentalCommittee – the key executive mechanism of the convention. The country was oneof the members elected the earliest to the Inter-governmental Committee, in the2006 - 2010 tenure. Last year, it was elected to the committee for 2022 - 2026with the biggest number of votes.

The elections held importance in manyaspects as they showed Vietnam’s growing stature and reputation in theinternational arena, the international community’s trust in the country’scapabilities at multilateral institutions, as well as their recognition of the country'scontributions to the preservation and promotion of the values of domesticand global intangible cultural heritage, the ambassador said.

This is a result of the country’sforeign policy of multilateralisation and diversification of externalrelations, and comprehensive, intensive, and effective integration into theworld, she opined.

As a member of the Inter-governmentalCommittee, Vietnam has been directly taking part in the building and adoptionof UNESCO’s important decisions about culture, helping realise the convention’sgoals and priorities and guarantee national interests at the highest possiblelevel in global cultural cooperation.

This has affirmed Vietnam’s role andreputation at UNESCO and in the international arena in efforts to promote theimportance of intangible cultural heritage, which is not only an essentialresource for cultural diversity, creativity, dialogue among cultures, andsocial cohesion but also an impetus for sustainable development, according to Van.

The diplomat said UNESCO’srecognition of 15 intangible cultural heritage items, along with eight tangiblecultural and natural ones, is a demonstration of the international community’shigh evaluation of Vietnam’s cultural heritage and values.

Through the recognition of those heritage pieces, thecountry has opportunities to honour tireless efforts by the community andartisans in preserving, promoting, and passing down heritage values to futuregenerations; introduce the cultural quintessence of Vietnam and images of acountry with both dynamic development and rich traditions; and garner internationalpartners’ support for heritage protection and value promotion.

Vietnam is also deeply aware that theheritage recognition is not only a source of pride but also a responsibility ofthe country, all-level authorities, sectors, localities, and artisans inpreserving and bringing into play heritage values, Ambassador Van added./.