The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed the art of pottery making of the Cham people on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.(Illustrative photo: Chinhphu.vn)

The art of pottery making of the Cham people is Vietnam’s 15th intangible cultural heritage inscribed by UNESCO, and also the fourth UNESCO title Vietnam has won this year. Three other titles are awarded to a collection of handwritten Chinese and Nom documents in Truong Luu village of central Ha Tinh province, the “ma nhai” steles on Ngu Hanh Son Mountain in central Da Nang city, and the learning city of Cao Lanh in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, said that the designation contributes to introducing to international friends the unique cultural heritages of Vietnam’s South Central Coast and helps the ethnic groups and communities in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces to adopt practical and effective measures to preserve and promote the value of Cham pottery art.

According to UNESCO, Cham pottery products are mainly household utensils, religious objects and fine art works, including jars, pots, trays and vases. They are made by women and viewed as an expression of individual creativity based on the knowledge transmitted within the community.