Chau van, which already has national heritage status, was created during the Tran dynasty (1225-1400) in Nam Dinh Province.— File Photo

NAM DINH (VNS) —The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism asked the northern province of Nam Dinh to compile a dossier seeking UNESCO recognition of the chau van (spiritual singing) ritual as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Chau van, which already has national heritage status, was created during the Tran dynasty (1225-1400) in Nam Dinh Province.

The highly rhythmic and trance-oriented form of singing often takes place during rituals to honour the Mother Goddesses and connect to other gods. It is performed mostly at temples and pagodas.

The genre has also adopted folk songs from the highlands of the north, centre and south. The main musical instrument used in the genre is dan nguyet (moon-shaped lute).

Viet Nam now has seven examples of world intangible heritage listed by UNESCO: Hue royal court music, gong space culture in the Central Highlands, quan ho (love duet) singing, the Giong Festival, ca tru ceremonial singing, xoan singing and the worship of national founders the Hung Kings. — VNA/VNS