The ceremony featured a parade with the UNESCO certificate held up high and performances of Bai Choi singing, attracting thousands of visitors.
Earlier, the recognition of Bai Choi singing was made during the 12th session of the UNESCO Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritages in Jeju, the Republic of Korea (RoK), on December 7, 2017.
The folk singing genre is popular in the central provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa, and Da Nang city.
Bai choi is often seen at local spring festivals and resembles a game, using playing cards and village huts.
The Bai choi songs are about festivals, daily life and work, and are accompanied by musical instruments.
The game and songs were developed by Mandarin Dao Duy Tu (1572-1634) to help locals to protect their crops.
According to the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Bai Choi is an important cultural activity in Vietnamese villages and communes, meeting the demand for entertainment and arts in the community.
Bai Choi songs are moral lessons, demonstrating patriotism, connectivity in the community and the life experience of the people.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised Bai Choi as national intangible cultural heritage during 2014-2016.
