Vietnam's bai choi art receives UNESCO heritage certificate

ABO/NDO - A ceremony was held in Binh Dinh province on May 5, to receive a certificate recognising bai choi, a form of folk singing popular in central Vietnam, as a UNESCO intangible heritage of humanity.

A bai choi performance at the ceremony.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the UNESCO chief in Vietnam Michael Croft, as well as foreign diplomats and artists from provinces where bai choi is practised.

An indispensable cultural element of people in the central provinces, the content of bai choi singing reflects the love for the homeland, community relationships and life experiences.

The art also helps to shape the qualities that characterise the people of central Vietnam: frankness, sincerity, simplicity, toughness, optimism and hospitality.

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Phuc stated that cultural heritages are a valuable asset of communities and the preservation and promotion work is significant for nurturing patriotism and strengthening national solidarity.

For his part, Binh Dinh, Chairman Ho Quoc Dung, affirmed that the provinces where bai choi is practised are determined to effectively implement a scheme on promoting the heritage.

The ceremony also featured a wide range of bai choi performances as well as other songs and dances typical of the central region.

(Source: NDO)