## Preserving Cultural Heritage: An Initiative to Safeguard Vietnam’s Ethnic Arts and Traditions
The upcoming programme, scheduled for Q2 and Q3, aims to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of several ethnic groups in Vietnam. Specifically, the initiative will focus on the “khen be” (panpipe) art of the Thai people in Nghia Lo, the traditional brocade weaving of the Mong group in Yen Bai province, the “cap sac” maturity ritual of the San Diu ethnics in Vinh Phuc province, and the mask-making art of the Khmer community in Tra Vinh province, located in the Mekong Delta.
Led by the Ministry’s Department of Ethnic Culture, the programme will provide essential equipment and musical instruments to support performance and ritual reenactments. Additionally, photo documentation and documentaries will capture the restoration process, with DVD discs distributed to locals to raise awareness and engage the community in preservation efforts. By encouraging the teaching and learning of folk songs, dances, and cultural rituals, the programme fosters solidarity among the ethnic groups and empowers artisans, village elders, and respected community members in their crucial role as cultural guardians.
Through this initiative, we hope to not only safeguard these unique art forms and traditions but also to promote cultural exchange and appreciation, ensuring that Vietnam’s diverse ethnic heritage thrives for generations to come.