With the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently adding three more cultural elements to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage for 2025, Hung Yen province now holds one of the largest collections of recognized intangible cultural assets in the country.

The newly recognized heritages include: the traditional Lang festival (Thu Tri commune), the Ong Pagoda festival (Nhu Quynh commune), and the folk knowledge of raising and processing Dong Tao chicken (Hoan Long commune).

Each of these newly listed heritages is distinctive, reflecting the unique cultural identity of Hung Yen’s land and people. Despite modernization and integration, local authorities remain committed to preserving and promoting these long-standing traditional values.

If the Lang festival in Thu Tri commune (formerly Song Lang, Vu Thu district, part of old Thai Binh province) is well known for preserving traditional wrestling and serving as a vital cultural activity for locals, the Ong Pagoda festival in Nhu Quynh commune (formerly Tan Quang, Van Lam district, old Hung Yen province) is tied to the legend of Zen master Tu Dao Hanh.

The Ong Pagoda festival retains a variety of traditional rituals such as the flag-raising ceremony and the procession of King Ly Than Tong, along with traditional folk games. The flag-raising ritual is particularly unique and no other festival in Hung Yen province preserves this practice.

As for the folk knowledge of raising and processing Dong Tao chicken in Hoan Long commune (formerly Dong Tao, Khoai Chau district, old Hung Yen province), it showcases careful selection, breeding, and care for this prized chicken breed known for its large, rough legs and popularity as a delicacy, especially during Tet.

Dong Tao chicken is used in various dishes such as roasted skin with toasted rice powder, chicken steamed with mushrooms, and medicinally stewed chicken legs. Many localities are developing Dong Tao chicken farming due to its ease of care and high economic value. Some countries, including the UK and Japan, are considering importing the breed for research and development in their domestic markets.

With this latest recognition, Hung Yen now boasts a total of 27 items listed as national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The province has clearly identified the importance of preserving and promoting these heritage values as part of its socio-economic development strategy, with a focus on tourism. This is a key goal in implementing Resolution No. 13-NQ/TU dated October 8, 2021, of the Provincial Party Committee on the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage and historical sites in connection with tourism development in Hung Yen for the 2021–2025 period, with a vision toward 2030.

PV