Le Thuy "Ho khoan" recognised as national intangible cultural heritage

Accordingly, Le Thuy "Ho khoan" (alternate singing between rowers) was one of 12 new items on the national intangible cultural heritage list recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Ho Khoan festival is taken place on the 29th day of the second lunar month in Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province.

This is a genre of folk performing arts and of an unique cultural character of Le Thuy people in Quang Binh province.

Ho khoan song includes nine tunes (mai), each tune is symbolize a kind of work. At the night of the festival, alternate singing between boys and girls are taking place.

It has become an indispensable cultural character on the occasion of community activities of the local people.

The 12 newly-recognised national intangible cultural heritages consist four types: traditional festivals, traditional handicrafts, social practices and beliefs, and folk performing arts.

Apart from "Ho khoan" of Quang Binh province, some of the other 11 heritages include Xa Ma Festival (in Hoang Chau commune, Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city); Lac Dang lacquer (Yen Tien commune, Y Yen district, Nam Dinh province); Truong Ba temple Festival (Tra Xuan Town, Tra Bong District, Quang Ngai Province); Tien Cong festival (Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province); the Khèn art of the H'Mông (Phu Luong and Dong Hy districts, Thai Nguyen province); lion dance of the Tay and the Nung (Lang Son province), etc.

By Nhu Y
(Source: Quang Binh Portal)