An exhibition titled “Vietnam Cultural Heritage Space” will be held in both in-person and virtual formats to celebrate the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23), starting from November 22.

The “Hau dong” (chanting-trancing) art is an important part of the “Worship of Mother Goddesses” practice. Photo: Tin nguong Hau dong Vietnam

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the “Vietnam Cultural Heritage Space” will be organized off-line from November 22-27 at the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts, No.2 Hoa Lu Street, Hai Ba Trung District.

An online display will take place from November 22 to the end of December on websites: http://trienlamvhnt.vn and http://dsvh.gov.vn.

The program will highlight Vietnam’s traditional practice of “Tho Mau Tam Phu” (Worship of Mother Goddesses).

Being recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2016, the “Worship of Mother Goddesses” is an indigenous Vietnamese belief, worshiping female deities, the mothers of nature, through the image of “Thanh Mau” (Mother Saint), a supreme deity having the power to create, manage and assist earthly people. 

The form of “Tho Mau Tam Phu” belief practice culminates in the “Hau dong” (chanting-trancing) art, which is mystical but contains the people’s strong confidence and earnest aspirations for life, thus creating the distinctiveness and eternal vitality of this special form of belief.

In addition, other Vietnamese intangible cultural heritages will also be honored at the dual exhibitions including the Gong dance of ethnic minorities in Central Highland, Bac Ninh love duet singing, and the “Don ca tai tu” music and songs of southern Vietnam.

Alongside the two exhibitions featuring cultural heritages in different localities, there will be some booths displaying typical traditional handicraft products, cuisines, and specialties. 

The “Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Space” is an annual cultural event to introduce, promote and honor the cultural values of the country to Vietnamese people and foreign friends.