Honoring cultural heritages of Khanh Hoa

Recently, many cultural heritages in Khanh Hoa Province have been honored or proposed being inscribed on the lists of the world and national cultural heritages. This has positively contributed to the preservation and promotion of the value of these cultural heritages.

Pride of Khanh Hoa people 

The members of the National Cultural Heritage Council (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) have recently agreed with the proposal that the Prime Minister recognize Ponagar Temple as a special national monument. This is thanks to the effort of Khanh Hoa’s cultural sector in preparing carefully the scientific document of the temple. Ponagar Temple was recognized as a national monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) on April 29, 1979.

Ponagar Temple is proposed being recognized as a special national monument

December 10, 2024 was a special day as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed the decision to inscribe the knowledge of exploiting and processing Khanh Hoa salanganes nests on list of national intangible cultural heritages. “We are very happy and proud that our traditional profession is honored. With this recognition, the workers of salangane nest profession contribute not only to the socio-economic development but also to the preservation of a national cultural heritage”, said Vo Van Cam, a senior worker of salangane nest profession in Vinh Nguyen Ward, Nha Trang City.

Currently, Khanh Hoa Province has 16 national monuments and 4 national intangible cultural heritages, including: Ponagar Temple Festival, Whale Worship Festival, Raglai people's grave-leaving ceremony, and the knowledge of exploiting and processing Khanh Hoa salanganes nests. Khanh Hoa Province is one of nine provinces and cities in the central region whose Bai Choi art is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Two sets of Khanh Son lithophones were also recognized as national treasures.

More heritages are proposed 

The Provincial People's Committee has directed the Provincial Department of Culture and Sports to cooperate with Khanh Hoa Salanganes nest State-owned One-member Limited Liability Company to prepare documents to propose prescribing Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival on the list of national intangible cultural heritages. Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival is organized on Hon Noi Salanganes Nest Island on lunar May every year to commemorate the predecessors of salanganes nest industry. The festival is organized on a provincial and regional scale, attracting a large number of local people and visitors from all over the country.

The province is also preparing documents to propose that UNESCO prescribe the practice of Mother Goddess Thien Y A Na worship on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The folk knowledge of Khanh Hoa aloewood traditional craft has been proposed being prescribed on the list of national intangible cultural heritages.

In addition to the heritages that have been recognized or proposed, the province’s leaders also directed the agencies to propose other cultural heritages that are important to the spiritual and cultural life of people in Khanh Hoa. This not only contributes to introducing, promoting and honoring the province's typical cultural heritages but also arouses pride in Khanh Hoa people about the traditional value that have been passed down through generations.

Giang Dinh
Translated by H.N