The Thai Xoe art profile was listed along with 35 other profiles worldwide. This is the 14th intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO, along with other art forms such as Bac Ninh Quan Ho, Central Highlands Gong, Southern amateur music, etc.
The moment Vietnam's Thai Xoe dance art was officially recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi. - Photo: VNA/Thanh Tung
In Thai, "xòe" means dancing, often performed in ceremonies, weddings, festivals and other community cultural activities. Besides dancing, Thai xoè performances are also performed to music, with the melodies of traditional instruments such as the tinh Tàu, the loa horn, the khen be, drums, gongs, etc.
The subject of Thai Xoe art is the Thai community living mainly in the Northwest mountainous region of Vietnam, regardless of age, gender, or occupation. Xoe is popular in 4 provinces: Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Son La, and Dien Bien. Thai communities in different localities will jointly shoulder responsibilities and have different roles in organizing the Xoe practice.
In 2013, Thai xoe was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage. - Photo: Internet
Through this honoring event, the Thai Xoe art will be preserved and its value will be promoted more in the cultural life of the Thai community in Vietnam, enhancing the pride of the local government and people in their traditional values, contributing to affirming the diversity, value and identity of Vietnamese culture in the common cultural picture of humanity.
According to the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the inscription of Thai Xoe as a Representative Intangible Heritage of Humanity affirms the international appreciation of Vietnam's cultural values, enhances Vietnam's presence on the world's intangible cultural map, and contributes to promoting the development goals of preserving and promoting the heritage values that UNESCO is promoting.
