To ensure that the folk songs of Ví and Giặm endure as part of human culture.

Ví and Giặm – A Heritage Journey

On November 27, 2014, when the gavel of the Chairman of the judging panel of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage sounded in Paris, France, everyone erupted with joy as their homeland's folk culture was inscribed and recognized.

This November 2024 marks exactly 10 years.folk songs of the Ví and Giặm genres.Nghe Tinh has been recognized by UNESCO as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition not only honors the stature and cultural values ​​that are unique to the region, the soul of Nghe Tinh – the source of the love for the land and people of Nghe An, but also honors the generations of people of Nghe Tinh who have created and nurtured a cultural heritage that has entered the history of mankind.

Regardless of when the folk songs of Ví and Giặm originated, and despite the many historical ups and downs, including periods of decline, the enduring vitality of this folk cultural product, coupled with the efforts of the Party committees, the government, and dedicated artisans who have devoted their lives to the folk songs of their homeland, has yielded sweet results. From there, Ví and Giặm are entering a new chapter, receiving proper attention, preservation, and promotion. The Government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, relevant agencies, the two provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh, and the entire community of Nghe An will have greater responsibility in making Ví and Giặm better, integrating, spreading, and developing alongside the times.

Over the past 10 years, along with the investment of resources (both human and financial) in restoring, collecting, and researching ancient folk songs of the Ví Giặm style, the cultural sector of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces has implemented long-term programs and projects for the development of this representative intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Not only have they sought out, discovered, nurtured, and cultivated Ví Giặm folk song talents for transmission and inheritance, but the provinces have also implemented many policies to encourage and facilitate the formation and development of Ví Giặm folk song clubs. Currently, the province has 130 Ví Giặm folk song clubs and 48 recognized Ví Giặm folk song artisans.

In addition to organizing annual folk song competitions and festivals, the Culture sector also collaborates with the Education and Training sector to introduce folk songs into schools, organize competitions for students on folk songs; build performance spaces, invest in the development of centers for the preservation and promotion of folk songs; organize competitions for composing folk melodies, and promptly reward, commend, and honor artists and artisans who have contributed to folk songs.

These efforts have helped the Nghe Tinh folk songs gain a firmer foothold in contemporary life, making the unique cultural heritage of Nghe An province known to many people, especially friends from all over the country and abroad.

Traditional Vietnamese folk songs and chants in the context of contemporary culture.

Ten years, a journey that may not be long, has been enough for the two provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh to reflect on the path they have traveled, draw valuable lessons in preserving and promoting world cultural heritage, and thereby develop longer-term strategies and plans for the development of the Vi and Giam folk singing traditions within the contemporary cultural context.

Ví and Giặm are a shared heritage of the people of Nghe An and Ha Tinh, a source that shaped the cultural history and nurtured the character of the people of Nghe An. Therefore, to commemorate this important milestone - 10 years since being inscribed by UNESCO - Nghe An and Ha Tinh will jointly organize many vibrant cultural activities from November 22-30, 2024.

In Nghe An province, from November 22nd, 2024, the Provincial Cultural Center will open an exhibition titled "Colors of Vietnamese Cultural Heritage, Nature, and Traditional Handicrafts." The opening ceremony will take place at 4 PM on November 23rd, 2024, and will be broadcast live on the digital channels of Nghe An Television Station. The exhibition space will be extended to Ho Tung Mau pedestrian street, connecting to Ho Chi Minh Square. This activity is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with Nghe An province. Alongside this, the Traditional Folk Art Festival "Vietnam – Colors of Heritage"; the Art Exchange "Returning to the Land of Heritage"; the Art Exchange "Youthful Rhythms"; and the Mass Art Exchange "Returning to Nghe An" will take place continuously from November 22nd to 25th, 2024, at the Provincial Cultural Center.

Specifically, at 8:10 PM on November 23, 2024, at Ho Chi Minh Square, the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Cultural Heritage and the Art Program “Vi, Giam – The Soul of the Homeland Shines” will be held and broadcast live on NTV, the digital platforms of Nghe An Radio and Television Station, and re-broadcast on channels and broadcasts of many radio and television stations nationwide. Besides honoring outstanding artisans and artists who have made positive contributions to the preservation and development of the Vi, Giam heritage over the past 10 years, the Art Program “Vi, Giam – The Soul of the Homeland Shines” with 3 chapters: The Soul of the Homeland; Vi, Giam Nurturing Talents; and Convergence and Shining, will feature renowned People's Artists and Meritorious Artists such as Pham Phuong Thao, Vu Thang Loi, Minh Thanh, Minh Thong, Thanh Vinh, Que Thuong, and many other art troupes. Hopefully, it will leave a lasting impression on the audience and the many lovers of Nghe Tinh folk songs.

A special highlight in the series of activities celebrating the 10th anniversary of Nghe Tinh folk songs (Vi and Giam) being honored is the artistic television broadcast "The Two Shores of Vi and Giam," jointly produced by the People's Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and the Radio and Television Station of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. The common thread running throughout is the rich tradition of folk culture that has flowed through the history of Nghe An's formation and development.

The televised art program will have three parts: Part I, "The Legacy of Nghe An," will feature performances of traditional folk songs and dances, accompanied by a documentary about the historically significant and culturally rich land of Nghe Tinh, home to Hong Mountain and Lam River – a cradle of traditional culture, a revolutionary landmark, and renowned in history for its unique cultural heritage and traditions of the Central region.

Part II, "The Heritage Journey," will showcase the efforts of the Party Committee, government, and people of Nghe Tinh in preserving and promoting the value of the Vi and Giam folk songs over the past 10 years. Along with documentaries and songs blending ancient and modern styles, there will also be interactions with folk artisans and generations of artists and singers who will pass on and continue the tradition of Vi and Giam folk songs.

Part III, "Keeping the Source Flowing Forever," will aim for a fresher, younger rhythm of life, where folk songs like Ví and Giặm are developed in both form and content to suit and adapt to contemporary life. This is an inevitable trend for Ví and Giặm – a folk cultural heritage – to be protected and have lasting vitality among the people, while also being able to take flight and reach further.

The Nghệ An – Hà Tĩnh televised program “The Two Banks of Ví and Giặm Folk Songs” will air at 8:10 PM on November 27, 2024, featuring many renowned artists and singers such as: People's Artist Hồng Lựu; Meritorious Artist Quế Thương; singers Bùi Lê Mận, Hà Quỳnh Như; and the winner of the 2024 Sao Mai Nghệ An competition, Thu Hà…

In addition, during the Folk Song Festival week in Ha Tinh, there will also be activities such as: a workshop to evaluate the work of preserving and promoting the value of the Nghe Tinh folk song heritage; and a festival showcasing intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam inscribed by UNESCO…

The folk songs and chants of Nghe Tinh possess a latent vitality, much like the people who created them. Conversely, this folk cultural heritage is the source that builds, nurtures, and cultivates the spiritual character of the people of Nghe An. To prevent this cultural heritage from fading away and to ensure its longevity alongside the nation and global culture, in addition to the efforts of generations of artists and artisans in transmitting and inheriting it, appropriate investment of talent and dedication is needed. And the responsibility for preserving, promoting, and developing this folk cultural product rests with everyone.