Dong Nai, April 20 -- A ceremony was held on April 19 in the southern province of Dong Nai to recognise the Sayangva festival - rice worship ritual of the Cho Ro people - as national intangible cultural heritage.

Sayangva is the most important traditional festival of the Cho Ro community in Dong Nai. Deeply rooted in agricultural beliefs, it expresses gratitude to heaven and earth and deities, especially the Rice Goddess, while praying for bumper harvests and prosperous lives.

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Khac Vinh said the recognition is only the beginning. More importantly, it entails responsibility for preserving and promoting the heritage in an effective and sustainable manner. ...