Preservation of ethnic minorities’ culture an urgent task: workshop

How to protect and bring into play the values of folk culture of ethnic minority groups in Vietnam was discussed at a workshop held at the National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi on December 14.

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong speaks at the event. (Photo: chinhphu.vn)
Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong speaks at the event. (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the preservation and promotion of ethnic minorities’ culture have helped enhance the patriotism and national pride among the public while strengthening the great national unity bloc.

More than 80 traditional festivals of ethnic groups like the Muong, Thai, Tay, Co Tu, Mong, Nung, Dao, Ba Na, Chut and Khmer have been revitalised. Over 30 villages of 25 minorities have been assisted to uphold their traditional cultural heritage such as festivals, folk songs and dances, costumes, crafts and customs.

At the workshop, participants said the preservation and promotion of ethnic minorities’ culture are an increasingly urgent task in the face of foreign culture, rapid urbanisation, and heritage commercialisation.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said it takes each ethnic community thousands of years to form their cultural identities. Therefore, cultural preservation and promotion need strategic visions and patience.

The State not only supports cultural heritage conservation activities but also creates a favourable environment for each citizen, each community and the whole society to join in this work, he added.

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong said protecting and bringing into play ethnic groups’ cultural identities are not the responsibility of a single group but the task of the entire political system and all people.

She asked the Government to overhaul legal documents on policies, including those on cultural preservation, for ethnic minorities, particularly the groups with small population in border, insular and resettlement areas, to encourage them to uphold beautiful cultural values and give up outdated practices.

The official also called for more manpower training in the work and policies encouraging the transfer of cultural heritage to younger generations.