Twelve groups and 59 individuals were honoured at a ceremony in thenorthern province of Phu Tho on February 18 for their contributions topreserving hat Xoan (Xoan singing), the world intangible culturalheritage in need of urgent protection.

The event aimed to makeXoan singing, one of national cultural heritages, a draw to tourists torealise this year’s national tourism programme, which has set to promote“heritage tourism”.

Present at the ceremony,Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan stressed preserving andpromoting the values of Xoan singing is the heavy responsibility of allpeople, artists, artisans and the authorities and residents of Phu Thoprovince as well.

He affirmed the Party and State’s attentions tothe preservation and development of cultural values of the nation incombination with tourism development as it has been defined clearly inthe Vietnam tourism development strategy to 2020 with a vision to2030.

Xoan singing, a vocal art of villages in theancestral land of Phu Tho , is usually performed in front of thecommunal house during village festivals in the spring.

Based on legends and historical, archaeological and social records,researchers say that Xoan singing first appeared from the time when theHung Kings established the nation.

Xoan singingshare several similarities with the lullaby. Many of the songs are aboutlove, but it is also a kind of folk music that praises a village genie.There are many forms of performances, including the duet and groupsinging accompanied by several kinds of dances.

Xoan festivals are often held in spring in village temples. On the fifthday of the first lunar month, these traditional songs are performed atthe Hung Temple festival .

On this occasion, Phu Tho authorities adopted an action programme to protect and promote Xoan singing./.