Then singing seeks UNESCO recognition

The northern province of Tuyen Quang will compile a dossier on the traditional Then singing of the Tay ethnic minority, to submit to UNESCO for recognition as an intangible world cultural heritage.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan recently signed a decision, giving Tuyen Quang the green light to proceed with the project.
The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to assist Tuyen Quang and its neighbouring Cao Bang and Bac Kan, where Then singing is most popular, to complete and submit the file to the Prime Minister in the fourth quarter of this year.
He also suggested that Tuyen Quang should promote its culture and tourism in its socio-economic development plan. The province should also cooperate with other localities to develop eco-tourism and take advantage of its historical relic sites.
Then singing is the distinctive music genre of the Tay ethnic minority group in the northern mountainous provinces, which is also performed by the Nung and Thai ethnic people in 14 provinces and cities nationwide.
Then singing expresses the motions and reflects the activities in the daily lives of working people including rowing a boat, washing a boat, pulling a rope, felling a tree, and a dance with a handkerchief, a wooden board and a fan.