Lifestyle

Spotlight on Gong Culture and Xoe Dance Exhibition

According to the organizers, a forthcoming exhibition in Hanoi on December 1 will provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the gong culture of the Central Highlands and the art of Xoe dance of the Thai people. These two elements are recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritages of Vietnam.

Administrator

6 December, 2023

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The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT)’s tourism information centre announced that an exhibition will be held to showcase the intangible cultural heritage in connection with tourism development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. This exhibition is in response to the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23) and is part of a project under the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2023.

In addition to displaying the two cultural heritage elements, the exhibition will also feature various activities. These activities include introducing the tourism potential and products of ethnic minority areas, as well as offering ethnic delicacies to visitors.

As part of the exhibition, a 30-second video clip will be launched to provide viewers with a glimpse of the immense terraced rice fields and mountains in the northwestern region. This region is home to the Thai ethnic group, who are the owners of the art of Xoe dance. Xoe, which comprises movements symbolizing ritual, cultural, daily, and working activities of people, is performed at ceremonies, weddings, festivals, and cultural community events. It was inscribed on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity on December 15, 2021.

The video clip also showcases the beauty of the Central Highlands, where the space of the gong culture is an integral part of the life of various ethnic groups such as E De, Gia Rai, Ba Na, Xo Dang, Ro Mam, and Ma. Gongs are always present in every aspect of the daily life of the locals. This space of the gong culture was recognized as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible cultural heritage of humanity on November 25, 2005.

The VNAT emphasizes that cultural heritage enriches the attractiveness of destinations as it creates valuable experiences for visitors, especially international ones. It is also a strategic resource for the development of tourism and the attraction of investment to heritage tourism. This helps many localities boost socio-economic development while preserving and promoting cultural heritage values.