Xoe Thai accredited as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The recognition was made at the 16th session of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is taking place from December 13-18.

According to the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee, the art meets all of the five criteria set by UNESCO.

Xoe Thai is a unique type of traditional dance that is associated with and plays a significant role in the daily life of Thai ethnic communities in the northwest of Viet Nam, especially in the provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La and Yen Bai. It is performed in various community activities from festivals to funeral rituals.

There are about 30 Xoe dances, which have been developed, protected and handed down through generations intact over hundreds of years, including xoe quat (xoe dance with a fan), xoe khan (xoe dance with a scarf), xoe non (xoe dance with a conical hat) and many others with contents reflecting community activities and expressing the Thai people’s emotion. With gentle and alluring rhythms, dancers usually form a circle around a festive flame and move to the sound of melodic traditional music.

In an interview with the Viet Nam News Agency, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to UNESCO, said the accreditation is the joy and pride of the Thai community in particular and Viet Nam in general.

The event affirmed the appreciation of the international community toward the Vietnamese heritage and promote Viet Nam’s cultural values as well as its image of people and landscapes, she noted.

The diplomat added that the listing will create more resources for Viet Nam's sustainable and inclusive development of economy and culture across localities and communities.

Le said Thai people’s Xoe dance is 14th intangible heritage of Viet Nam to obtain the UNESCO title so far./.   VNA