UNESCO chief representative in Vietnam Katherine Muller Marin has been honoured with an insignia for peace and friendship among nations, a distinction in recognition of her tireless efforts to preserve cultural heritage in the country.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong presented the award to Katherine Muller Marin in Hanoi on June 18.

For the past five years, the UNESCO representative has actively partnered with Vietnam in its bid to seek world status for many of the country’s tangible and intangible heritages.

Among them were Dong Van karst plateau which earned its status as a world geo-park in 2010, the Ho Dynasty Citadel which was recognised as a world cultural heritage in 2011 and the worship ritual of Hung Kings which entered the list of world non-tangible cultural heritage a year later.

In February 2013, Don ca Tai tu (southern amateur singing) was proclaimed a piece of the non-tangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Notably, 82 stone steles placed at the Temple of Literature, Thang Long imperial citadel and Giong festival won UNESCO accolade as world heritages in 2010, a big pride of Hanoians as the city celebrated the millennial founding anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi that same year.

Catherine Muller Marin, in her speech, said with her love for Vietnam, its people and rich culture, she will spare no effort for its future development.-VNA