UNESCO's recognition of vi and giam folk songs as intangible cul-tural heritages of humanity is a top 10 culture event of the year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced.

Vi and giam songs are mostly sung in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.

Typically, the singing is not accompanied by musical instruments. They are sung when working in the fields, rowing boats or making conical hats, besides lulling children to sleep. They have a century-old history in both provinces.

Also in the top 10 list is the UN cultural agency's recognition of the Trang An Tourism Complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh as a World Culture and Nature Heritage site.

It is the first national site that combines both natural and cultural aspects, meeting UNESCO's criteria for scenic landscape and cultural values.

The other top events of culture, sports and tourism chosen by the culture ministry are:

The passing of a resolution by the ninth meeting of the Party Central Committee (11th tenure) on building and developing Vietnamese culture to match the country's sustainable development requirements.

Strong public response to policies issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to encourage, prevent and eliminate alien religious objects considered unsuitable for cultural and historical sites, offices and public places across country.

 The "Great family of Vietnamese ethnic groups engaged in national construction and defence" event was held in the National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, combining activities affirming the country's sovereignty.

 The Vietnamese sport team ranked 10th among 43 participating countries and territories at the second Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea in October.

 The seventh National Sports Games was successfully held with the setting of 57 national and 158 games records.

Vietnamese marksman Hoang Xuan Vinh earned 202.8 points to set up a new world record in the 10m air pistol event, winning gold at the World Shooting Cup in the US in March.

 Total tourism revenues in 2014 reached VND230 trillion (US$10.9 billion), a year-on-year increase of 15 per cent.

 Viet Nam was ranked sixth among 20 best tourist destinations in the world by the US Travel&Leisure magazine.

The events were selected by 133 reporters from 116 newspapers and agencies from a list of 15 nominated by the ministry. — VNS