Vietnam has been elected as vice-president of the General Assembly of the State Parties to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention) at the 10th session of the General Assembly. 

The two-day session kicked off at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France on Tuesday with the participation of 183 country members and more than 100 observers, discussing important issues for the future of the convention and orienting the efforts of states and communities in the safeguarding of living heritage around the world.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the session, according to reporters of the Vietnam News Agency in France. 

At the event’s opening meeting, the convention’s country members trustfully elected Vietnam vice-president of the General Assembly of the State Parties to the 2003 Convention, bringing the number of key UNESCO mechanisms that Vietnam has joined to six.   

This election is of great significance as it has clearly reflected Vietnam’s increasingly high international position and reputation, Ngoc commented. 

It demonstrates the international community’s support for and trust in the Southeast Asian nation’s role and operating capacity in global multilateral institutions, and especially the world’s recognition of Vietnam’s contributions to preserving and promoting the value of intangible heritage around the world.

The diplomat also noted that Vietnam has gained international trust through the effective implementation of the Vietnamese Party and state’s foreign policy, which focuses on multilateralization and diversification of external relations, comprehensive and extensive international integration, and the country’s cultural diplomacy strategy extending until 2030.

With the newly-elected position, Vietnam will directly engage in the making and passing of UNESCO decisions on culture, thereby further contributing to the perfection and realization of the 2003 Convention’s goals.

Vietnam will also make the best use of UNESCO's programs, plans, and initiatives to serve the country’s development, preservation, and promotion of cultural heritage values, while ensuring the highest national interests in cultural cooperation at the global level, he added.

In his speech at the session, Ngoc commended the Intergovernmental Committee, the Secretariat, and all state members of the 2003 Convention for their efforts in achieving the convention's goals.

He emphasized their success in raising awareness about the importance of safeguarding and transmitting intangible heritage, and in prioritizing communities at the heart of heritage conservation efforts.

The diplomat affirmed that Vietnam, which is home to 15 UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritages and 550 national-level intangible cultural heritages, is always interested in protecting intangible cultural heritage and developing and improving relevant national policies and laws, including the National Target Program on Cultural Development by 2045 as well as the revised Law on Cultural Heritage.

He called on UNESCO and its country members to continue to strengthen international cooperation, effectively implement the 2003 Convention, and prioritize experience sharing and capacity building for developing countries, African countries, and small island developing states, with a focus on empowering communities, women, and youth in heritage preservation efforts.

Many delegates at the session highly appreciated Vietnam's experience, understanding, and efforts in protecting and promoting intangible cultural heritage in theoretical, legal, and practical aspects.

Vietnam has become an example for many other countries, both regionally and internationally, in safeguarding and preserving intangible cultural heritages, as well as in promoting heritage models that are under good protection in the world.

The 2003 Convention was adopted by the UNESCO General Conference on October 17, 2003 and entered into force in 2006.

Vietnam officially joined the 2003 Convention on September 5, 2005, becoming one of the first 30 countries in the world to join this international treaty.

As an active and responsible member, Vietnam has twice been elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention. 

Currently, Vietnam is completing and submitting many dossiers of intangible cultural heritages to UNESCO for recognition, including the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son and Kiep Bac relic and landscape complex in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, and Bac Giang; the Con Moong Cave in north-central Thanh Hoa Province; the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological relic site in southern An Giang Province; and the Ba Chua Xu (Holy Mother of the Realm) Temple Festival at Sam Mountain in An Giang’s Chau Doc City; among others.

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