The event gathered Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, leaders of central ministries and localities, former Party and State leaders, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Jonathan Baker, and a large number of people from within and outside the province.

On December 4, 2024, during its 19th session, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage under UNESCO officially inscribed the festival on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Through theatrical performances and documentary footage, attendees at the ceremony gained insights into the festival’s history and significance. Dating back to the 18th century, the festival is rooted in local legend, as villagers discovered an ancient statue atop Sam Mountain but could not move it until divinely guided to use nine virgin girls, who succeeded. Over time, Ba Chua Xu Temple evolved from a simple bamboo shrine into a major spiritual site, attracting millions of visitors annually, especially during the festival from the 22nd to the 27th day of the fourth lunar month.

The UNESCO recognition is a great honor for An Giang and a source of national pride. It highlights the cultural richness of the province, promotes its image internationally, and reinforces the joint responsibility of authorities and local communities in preserving this heritage. According to An Giang provincial Party Secretary Le Hong Quang, the recognition affirms the festival’s cultural value and underscores the need for its sustainable preservation and development.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasized the importance of safeguarding this heritage while promoting An Giang’s cultural values domestically and internationally. The festival also showcases the cultural diversity of An Giang’s ethnic communities, including Kinh, Hoa, Cham, and Khmer, while supporting local tourism and economic development.

The ceremony concluded with the official presentation of UNESCO’s certificate by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to An Giang provincial leaders, followed by the festival drum marking the official start of the 2025 Festival of the Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain.

An Giang's festival recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

VOV.VN - The Ba Chua Xu (Holy Mother of the Realm) Festival on Mount Sam in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang was officially recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, at the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay on December 4.