A performance of Then singing - a cultural heritage of the Tay ethnic group (Photo: VNA) Experts from a number of Southeast Asian nations gathered at a two-day conference, which opened on October 6 in Hanoi, to seek ways to preserve regional intangible cultural heritages in the context of rapid urbanisation, modernisation and globalisation.
The event, the second of its kind, was jointly organised by the Vietnam National Academy of Music (VNAM) and the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritages in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (ICHCAP).
Addressing the opening ceremony, ICHICAP General Director Kwon Huh highlighted the diversity of intangible cultural heritage in the Southeast Asian region and hailed efforts made by regional nations to protect them.
A number of initiatives have been developed on preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage in tandem with tourism and socio-economic development, he said.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien emphasised the significance of intangible cultural heritage, saying that it contributes to the cultural identity of each community and nation.
Vietnam is proud of its rich intangible cultural heritage of 54 ethnic minority groups across the country, Lien said, adding that some of them are fading away.
She hoped regional countries would work together to protect intangible cultural heritage while contributing to enhancing cultural exchanges in the region.
The first version of the conference took place in Indonesia in 2012 with the participation of 11 Southeast Asian nations.
A number of projects have since been implemented to promote regional intangible cultural heritages.-VNA
