The event was part of the ‘Return to the Roots’ tourism programme and honouring Xoan singing in 2012, which is being jointly held by three northern provinces: Phu Tho, Yen Bai and Lao Cai.

Ha Ke San, Vice Chairman of the Phu Tho provincial People’s Committee, said Xoan singing is a traditional rite commemorating the Hung Kings and was recorded by Confucian scholars, especially those in the Later Le dynasty.

Phu Tho originally had only four Xoan singing theatrical companies namely Kim Dai, Phu Duc, Thet and An Thai, but now there are 18 across Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc provinces, he added.

San said that UNESCO recognition of Xoan singing as a world intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent protection was mainly due to the great efforts and contributions of generations of Xoan singers.

Deputy Head of the Phu Tho Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Pham Ba Khiem, said local people should become more active in the national programme action to preserve and develop Xoan singing and popularize it in the province and across the country.

Also on the occasion, it was announced that a dossier on the Hung Kings Prayer Ritual will soon be completed to submit to UNESCO for recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.