Vietnam is requesting UNESCO recognition for Vi-Giam folk singing at the organisation’s meeting from November 24-28 at its headquarters in Paris.

One of the main purposes of the meeting is considering the recognition of 36 proposed intangible heritages, including Vietnam’s Vi-Giam folk singing.

The Vietnamese delegation, is being led by Dang Thi Bich Lien, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. 

The Vietnamese delegation attends the UNESCO meeting

Dr. Nguyen Chi Ben, former director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture and Arts, said that Vi-Giam folk singing meets UNESCO's requirements for recognition.

Vi-Giam folk singing plays an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of local people in the central region of Vietnam and describes their daily activities, he added.

According to Ben, Vietnam’s Vi-Giam dossier was completed at the end of 2012 and submitted to UNESCO for consideration March of last year. Nghe An and Ha Tinh held a number of events designed to introduce this type of folk singing to international experts, including those from UNESCO.

If recognised, Vi-Giam would become the ninth Vietnamese intangible heritage to be recognised by UNESCO, he noted.