For many years, the residents of Tieu Mai village in Mai Dinh commune, Hiep Hoa district have maintained a distinctive rowing festival. This festival originates from a traditional performance celebrating the victory of the Ly Dynasty's military and people during the resistance war against the Song invaders in 1077.

The Tieu Mai rowing festival attracts a large number of local residents and tourists.

The festival lasts for three days, featuring numerous rituals and folk games that attract many local residents and tourists. After the opening ceremony, the elders row around a Neu pole in a circle, before friendly competitions take place.

With significant cultural, historical, and traditional meanings, the Tieu Mai rowing festival has recently been included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

According to Ha Van Huong, Chairman of the communal People’s Committee, the recognition is a crucial foundation for the festival to continue being preserved and expanded, thereby enhancing its value in social life and fostering the spirit of martial valor and patriotism among future generations.

Bac Giang boasts rich intangible heritage, with nearly 800 festivals, featuring a treasure of folk songs, costumes, dishes, and traditional crafts of ethnic minorities. Alongside these festivals, there are many unique cultural heritages reflecting local identities.

Notably, the Quan Ho (love duet) folk songs from various villages in Bac Giang are loved by visitors for their blend of sweet melodies and lyrics, as well as the traditional costumes and cultural etiquette of the performers.

The Tac Xinh dance of the San Chay ethnic group in Son Dong district showcases rhythmic and strong movements mimicking labour activities, combined with sounds generated by striking bamboo tubes, creating a lively and visually appealing performance. Immersed in the dance, all hardships seem to fade away, replaced by laughter, joy, and aspirations for a prosperous and happy life.

In recent years, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has developed and implemented numerous programmes, plans, and scientific projects, including a workshop on preserving and promoting the value of intangible cultural heritage of ethnic minorities and a study on folk heritage of ethnic minorities in Bac Giang.

Currently, the province has 55 clubs dedicated to the folk songs of ethnic minorities, actively contributing to the preservation of the beautiful traditional cultural values of these communities and becoming attractive tourism products.

The seed sowing ritual at the rice planting festival in Son Dong district.

Truong Quang Hai, Director of the department, stated that Bac Giang will continue to focus on preserving and utilising cultural heritage associated with tourism development.

The province is collaborating with relevant provinces and cities to complete scientific documents seeking UNESCO recognition of the art of cheo (traditional opera) as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, as well as the Complex of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Landscapes as a world heritage site.

Additionally, they plan to propose the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism include the An Chau rowing festival of Son Dong district in the list of intangible cultural heritages.

These efforts have created opportunities for the continued preservation, expansion, and enhancement of heritage values in social life.

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