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The mass dance performance took place at a stadium in Nghia Lo Town of the northern province of Yen Bai. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was present at the event as UNESCO handed over a certificate recognizing Xoe Thai, a traditional folk dance of the community, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Xoe dance is the 14th intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO.
PM Chinh praised generations of folk artists and the Thai ethnic minority community for tremendous efforts made to conserve their cultural heritage.
"Xoe Thai represents a convergence of cultural beauty, therefore, promoting the art is the shared responsibility of all Vietnamese citizens," he said.
Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said the Xoe Thai dance holds a special place in people's hearts.
"Xoe Thai reminds us of what's important in our lives: the deep relationships we form with family, friends, community and more," she said.
The dance is practiced mainly by Thai people residing in the four northern mountainous provinces of Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Son La and Dien Bien.
The Xoe dance involves people holding hands and performing six traditional acts, including welcoming, clapping hands, waving scarves and offering wine.
Thai ethnic minority people perform their traditional Xoe dance performance at a ceremony in Yen Bai Province on September 24, 2022. Video by Gia Chinh
