"Bac Ninh Cultural Night" held in France

The delegation of Bac Ninh province takes photos with international guests at the event.

The event attracted the participation of nearly 200 delegates, including nearly 30 Ambassadors of countries to UNESCO from all continents along with leaders of French agencies and organizations, diplomatic missions and international organizations located in Paris and Vietnamese Associations in France.

The delegates were immersed in the sweet and melodious melodies of Bac Ninh Quan ho folk songs

After enjoying Quan Ho melodies, delegates were introduced to the art of making Dong Ho folk paintings. In 2025, the art of Dong Ho folk painting will be considered by UNESCO to be included in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Huu Hung (6th from left), Deputy Chief of Provincial People's Committee Office Ngo Van Luyen (4th from left), Director of Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Theater Nguyen Van Cuong (5th from the right) and brothers and sisters of Quan Ho attend the event.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Head of the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to UNESCO highlighted the role of intangible cultural heritage in enhancing cultural diversity, community cohesion, promoting peace and mutual understanding between countries and peoples. Intangible cultural heritage is also an important driving force for the sustainable development of countries.

The Ambassador emphasized that Vietnam is proud to have 15 intangible cultural heritages registered by UNESCO, including Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk songs. At the same time, she expressed her hope to receive the support from the countries for Vietnam’s nomination dossiers.

The sisters perform Quan Ho folk songs at the event.

The Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam always pays attention to protecting intangible cultural heritage and promoting the value of cultural heritage associated with sustainable development of the country. As a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term and currently as Vice Chairman of the Committee, Vietnam has been strengthening cooperation with other members countries and relevant parties to promote the implementation of the Convention.

At the event, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province Trinh Huu Hung affirmed that Bac Ninh province has effectively implemented the Vietnamese Government's commitment to UNESCO on preserving and developing the representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity - Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs.

Brothers and sisters perform Quan Ho folk songs at the event.

On this occasion, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism introduced the Dong Ho folk paintings of Bac Ninh province.

Currently, the profession of making Dong Ho folk paintings is paid attention, supported, protected and promoted by heritage values ​​at all levels and sectors. Facing the risk of extinction, the Government of Vietnam has decided to submit to UNESCO the craft of making Dong Ho folk paintings on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism expressed his hope to receive attention and support from diplomatic representative agencies and international organizations so that by 2025, this unique form of folk art will be registered by UNESCO.

Meritorious artist Nguyen Thi Oanh (4th from left) introduces the art of making Dong Ho folk paintings.

At the "Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac Cultural Night", international guests were very excited and admired when they witnessed meritorious artist Nguyen Thi Oanh instructing the steps to complete a painting product.

On this occasion, the delegates also visited the exhibition "Ho Chi Minh – Desire for National Independence" on display at the Vietnam Cultural Center in France; heard the representative from the President Ho Chi Minh Monument at the Palace introduce documentary photos of his journey to find a way to save the country. In 1987, UNESCO passed Resolution No. 24C/18.65 honoring him as a Hero of national liberation and an outstanding cultural figure.

"Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac Cultural Night" had left a good impression in the hearts of international friends with the culture and people of Bac Ninh and with the country and people of Vietnam.