Making Heritage in Vietnamese and Asian Contexts: A Comparative Study

Tóm tắt

The UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage entered into force in 2006 for thirty States that had ratified it on or before 20 January 2006. So far, 174 State Parties have approved or rectified the Convention. In 2005, Vietnam became the 22^nd country to ratify it. It is a globally emerging issue that intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is no longer involved solely by local communities. The inscription of heritage on the lists of the 2003 Convention was intended to safeguard ICH elements and their viability, and enhance the visibility of heritage at the local, national, and international levels. This paper is focused on the dynamics and politics of making heritage in Vietnam and the Asian context, emphasising that the UNESCO’s inscription goes beyond the objectives of the 2003 Convention, which is aimed safeguarding and promoting the awareness of ICH in general. At the national and local levels, the inscription meets very specific and practical purposes of the State Party and local community.