The displaying of the cultural heritage of the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands and Art of Xòe dance of the Thai people in Viet Nam

The Tourism Information Technology Center - TITC (Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) has kicked off the “Displaying of Intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO in associating with tourism development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas” at the Centre for Art and Culture at 22 Hang Buom street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi.

The program is in response to Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (23rd November).

Within the framework of the program, many interesting activities will take place such as: the space to display the cultural heritage of the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) of Vietnam and Art of Xòe dance of the Thai people in Viet Nam, booths promote tourism of ethnic minority areas, provide tourism information and introduce tourism products, and exchange unique local culinary experiences…

The Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands was officially recognized by UNESCO as an intangible and oral cultural masterpiece of mankind on 25th November 2005. After the Hue Court Music, Tay Nguyen Gongs are Vietnam's second heritage honoured as the world's intangible cultural heritage. The Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands stretches across 5 provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong and the owners of this unique culture are residents of the Central Highlands ethnic groups: Bana, Xe Dang, Mnong, Coho, Rom, Ede, Giarai ... Gongs are intimately attached to the Central Highlands' life, are the voice of the spirit, human soul, to express joy and sadness in life, in their work and in their daily lives. Gong is an essential instrument in all festivals that take place in the Central Highlands. Each ethnic group has its own gong performance to express the natural beauty, human aspirations. Each set of gongs is the spiritual voice and soul of the Central Highlands people, to express the joys and sorrows in their working life and daily activities.

Art of Xòe dance of the Thai people in Viet Nam was officially inscribed by UNESCO as the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. "Xoe" (dance) is a form of performing art of the Thai community in the Northwest provinces such as Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La... Xòe is a form of Vietnamese dancing with movements that symbolise human activities in ritual, culture, life and work. It is performed at rituals, weddings, village festivals and community events. There are three main types of xòe: ritual, circle and presentational. The ritual and presentational xòe dances are named after props used during certain performances, such as scarf xòe, conical hat xòe, fan xòe, bamboo pole xòe, music xòe, stick xòe and flower xòe. The most popular form is circle xòe, wherein dancers form a circle and perform in harmony.

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Performance "The quintessence of Xoe Art" (Photo: VGP)

Also at the “Displaying of Intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO in associating with tourism development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas”, visitors will witness artisans performing Art of Xòe dance of the Thai people in Viet Nam; listen to introductions and sharing about heritage practices; exchange and experience traditional culinary culture with artisans; visit the heritage display space, booth promoting tourism in ethnic minority areas...
* Tourism Information Technology Center
* Tags: #UNESCO heritage, #Intangible cultural heritage, #Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, #Art of Xòe dance of the Thai people in Viet Nam,