The Xang Khan festival of Thai ethnic group in the central province of Nghe An has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage element. The provincial People’s Committee held a spring festival and ceremony to announce the recognition in Que Phong district on February 3. Vice Chairman of the committee Le Minh Thong said the festival is a unique religious festival of Thai ethnic people in the western region of Nghe An province, including Que Phong, Quy Chau, Quy Hop, Tuong Duong, Ky Son, Con Cuong, and Nghia Dan districts, which needs further preservation and promotion. The festival means to remind people to do good things for themselves, families and the community. Xang Khan was the second festival of minority ethnic groups in Nghe An to be recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, after Chin Gian (Nine Compartments) Temple Festival – which aims to pay homage to ancestors and pray for good crops. At the festival, locals and tourists had an opportunity to enjoy a show of traditional costumes of ethnic groups, gong performances, dances and folk games. (VOV Feb 5)
