PORTCOAST DONATES DIGITALIZED PRODUCT – CONTRIBUTING TO THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

By hcmcpv.org.vn - 30/03/2025

On March 30, 2025, at the Ceremony announcing the recognition of National Intangible Cultural Heritage and the ranking of city-level historical and cultural relics, Portcoast donated a digitalized model of the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House – a nationally recognized architectural and artistic monument. As a pioneer in applying modern technology to digital transformation across various sectors, this act reflects Portcoast’s sense of social responsibility and its commitment to leveraging digital solutions to preserve, promote, and share the value of cultural heritage with the community and future generations.

(Thanhuytphcm.vn) – On the morning of March 30, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to announce the decision recognizing the Lion, Unicorn, and Dragon Dance art of the Chinese community in HCMC as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and to announce the classification of 7 historical - cultural relics at city level, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).

Attending the event were Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission Nguyen Manh Cuong; Member of the Standing Committee, Secretary of Thu Duc City Party Committee Nguyen Huu Hiep; Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the People's Committee Tran Thi Dieu Thuy; Member of the City Party Committee, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Tran The Thuan; Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCMC Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy.

At the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Minh Nhut announced the decision of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on recognizing the Lion, Unicorn, and Dragon Dance art of the Chinese community in HCMC as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. At the same time, the decision of the Chairman of the City People's Committee to rank 7 historical - cultural relics at the city level was also announced, including: Three village communal houses in Thu Duc City: Long Binh Communal House, Long Hoa Communal House, and An Khanh Communal House. Four architectural heritage relics: Saigon University (District 5), Mariamman Temple, Trung Vuong High School, and Tan Dinh Market (District 1).

The Lion, Unicorn, and Dragon Dance is a unique folk performing art of the Chinese community in HCMC, reflecting a rich spiritual life. In traditional beliefs and culture, the three sacred animals symbolize luck, prosperity, and the dispelling of bad omens, and often appear in important festivals such as Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, opening ceremonies, and groundbreaking events...

The recognition of the Lion, Unicorn, and Dragon Dance art of the Chinese community in HCMC as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage contributes to preserving and promoting the value of this traditional art form. HCMC currently has 7 national intangible cultural heritages, including notable ones such as: Ca tru and Don ca tai tu of Southern Vietnam (recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity), Nghinh Ong Festival in Can Gio District, Nguyen Tieu Festival in District 5, Khai Ha - Cau An Festival at the Tomb of General Le Van Duyet, Vovinam – Viet Vo Dao, and the Lion, Unicorn, and Dragon Dance art.

Among the 7 newly recognized historical - cultural relics at city level, there are 3 village communal houses in Thu Duc City – not only reflecting typical Southern communal house architecture but also associated with the national liberation struggle.

The remaining four architectural relics reflect the cultural interaction between Vietnam and India, as well as between Eastern and Western architecture, contributing to showcasing the city's development across different periods.

With the 7 newly recognized monuments and sites, the total number of historical - cultural relics in HCMC has reached 200, including: 2 special national historical relics; 58 national relics (including 2 archaeological sites, 32 architectural heritage relics, 24 historical relics); and 140 city-level relics (including 86 architectural heritage sites, 54 historical relics, of which 79 are related to the national liberation struggle).

The recognition of intangible cultural heritages and the classification of historical - cultural relics not only aims to preserve traditional values but also creates opportunities for tourism development, contributing to the socio-economic and cultural growth of HCMC.

After the ceremony, the HCMC Lion - Unicorn - Dragon Federation and related units will develop plans to preserve and promote this traditional folk performing art, combining it with tourism development and promoting the image of HCMC.

Localities with newly classified relics will also implement conservation and restoration projects, while strengthening propaganda and promotion of heritage values to the community, especially the younger generation, to raise awareness about the responsibility of preserving and promoting national cultural identity.

On this occasion, the People's Committee of HCMC presented Certificates of Merit to 7 collectives and 2 individuals for their outstanding achievements in preserving and promoting the intangible cultural heritage of the Lion, Unicorn, and Dragon Dance art. At the same time, Portcoast Consultant Corporation also donated a digitalized product of the national architectural heritage – Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, contributing to heritage preservation through modern technology.