The people of Nghe An are eagerly awaiting and anticipating this.

(Baonghean.vn) - Folk songs and Ví Dặm are unique specialties found nowhere else but in the sun-drenched and windy land of Nghe An. Not only the people of Nghe An, but also those in Ha Tinh are eagerly awaiting news that UNESCO is considering honoring this unique form of folk music as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity with great pride. Baonghean.vn records some opinions from officials and people in Ha Tinh.

Ms. Tran Thi Canh, Deputy Director of the Culture and Sports Center of Nghi Xuan District:

Upon hearing the news through the media, the people were very enthusiastic, supportive, and welcomed it with special joy. If it were officially recognized, it would truly be an indescribable joy. The people of Ha Tinh have always been deeply committed to preserving and developing the folk songs of Nghe An province. In Nghi Xuan district, we introduced folk songs into schools in 1998. To date, they have been present in all schools, from kindergartens to primary and secondary schools. Cultural officials are also collecting, compiling, and creating new lyrics for traditional folk songs.

In all cultural and artistic festivals, Ví and Dặm folk songs have a prominent place and are warmly received by the people. Currently, Nghi Xuan district has 19 folk song clubs, and 14 folk artists have been honored in various genres such as Ca Tru, Ví and Dặm, Phường Vải, Trò Kiều… We believe that Ví and Dặm folk songs of Nghe An will continue to develop and live on through time.

People in Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province, learn to sing folk songs.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tuan, Xuan Giang commune, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh provinceWhen I heard that we were submitting our application for UNESCO recognition, I and many other people felt very proud because the Ví and Dặm folk songs of Nghe Tinh are invaluable products, a unique specialty not found in every region. I myself have loved folk songs since childhood. Besides the daily grind of making a living, I've always been concerned about how to revive these folk melodies. That's why I often try to explore and adapt new works into Ví and Dặm folk songs. I believe that the Ví and Dặm folk songs of Nghe Tinh have, are, and will continue to have a powerful and enduring vitality because they are a cultural source, the essence of the working people of Nghe Tinh.

Folk artist Nguyen Ban (Ha Tinh):I used to teach in Viet Bac and then worked in the cultural sector of Nghe Tinh province, traveling extensively through the villages of Nghe An to collect folk songs and melodies. Our generation of folk artists worked not for the sake of recognition, but to ensure the development and preservation of folk music from generation to generation. When I heard that UNESCO would be considering the dossier to honor the products of the working people of Nghe An, I felt as if I myself were being honored. Previous generations of folk musicians and artists would feel that their efforts had paid off. Being honored would be wonderful; our folk products would be recognized and celebrated by the world. However, we believe that this unique cultural heritage has long been honored among the people, created, nurtured, and developed by them.

Thuy Linh (recorded)