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.
