Nations urge diplomatic and sustainable solution in Syria as an airstrike by the United States and its allies on April 14 on Syrian government facilities earlier on the same day stoked fear for an escalation of the situation.

UN Secretary General, António Guterres, said that while use of chemical weapons was “abhorrent” and “horrendous”, he urged caution in retaliating, expressing concern that any escalation of the violence would only increase the suffering of those living in Syria. “I urge all member states to show restraint in these dangerous circumstances and to avoid any acts that could escalate the situation and worsen the suffering of the Syrian people,” Guterres said in a statement. In a response to questions about the strikes, China’s foreign ministry called any military action that bypasses the UN security council a violation of international law. “We consistently oppose the use of force in international relations, and advocate respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement. “China believes that a political solution is the only realistic way out for the Syrian issue,” she added. “China urges all the relevant parties to return to the framework of international law and to resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation.” China supports the United Nations in playing an active role and calls on the international community to stick to diplomacy and the course of political settlement, give full play to the role of the United Nations as the main mediator. Leaders of Latin American nations on April 14 urged a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Syria, as an airstrike by the United States and its allies on Syrian government facilities earlier on the same day stoked fear for an escalation of the situation. "We have stated that an international solution is needed, and not a fragmented (response). As we said, there must be a solution through international law and not by strength," Brazilian President Michel Temer told reporters on the sideline of the eighth Summit of the Americas held in the Peruvian capital of Lima. Argentine President Mauricio Macri called for countries to avoid escalating the tensions. "Argentina calls on the international community to take steps which allow for the preservation of peace and security, avoid actions which will cause an escalation of tensions and ... follow paths of dialogue within existing international commitments," Macri said. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, for his part, rallied the international community to seek ways to reach lasting peace in Syria "after the severe events of the last few days." Greece called on the international community to "remain focused on finding a political and sustainable solution in Syria" following the US-led air strikes against Damascus over the alleged use of chemical weapons. Caution, calmness, seriousness and responsibility are required, said Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic on April 14 while commenting on the US strikes on Syria allegedly connected with chemical weapons, stressing that stability must be maintained at any cost. Malaysia said on April 15 that it was deeply concerned over the joint air strikes on Syria carried out by the United States, France and Britain, calling on all parties to demonstrate restraint and avoid any actions that could escalate the conflict further. Pakistan has called upon all parties involved in Syrian conflict to refrain from action that is contrary to the charter of the United Nations. "We are following the situation in Syria with grave concern. We call on all sides to refrain from actions inconsistent with the UN Charter," Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal said.

2. Opportunities and challenges to small and medium-sized countries

Concerning opportunities, there is a positive common point that countries all advocate building a world of peace, cooperation and development and not using violence for solving disputes and differences. It at least creates confidence and peaceful environment for countries to foster cooperation and national construction. For the sake of influence worldwide, small and medium-sized countries, including Vietnam will become the subject for major powers to induce and compete for in both political and economic terms. As a result, the role of small and medium-sized countries will be increasingly heightened. If they seize this opportunity to raise their voice over international political issues and together set out “rules of the game”, to some extent, major powers will make concession. Accordingly, status and role of small and medium-sized countries in international relations and settlement of global issues will be respected while relations with major power will be strengthened, and they will not be dependent on any major powers.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. increasingly active intervention in the region, the rise of China and the engagement of major powers in regional issues have opened up opportunities for regional countries to develop their relations with China, the U.S., and other major powers, creating favourable conditions to encourage the trend of peace, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific, in general and the Southeast Asia, in particular.

Against this backdrop, in spite of difficulties and limitations, ASEAN will be likely to continue to be the facilitator for regional cooperation. First, doubts and political distrust among major powers will facilitate ASEAN’s central role in designing mechanisms for regional cooperation. Major powers will be more tolerant towards ASEAN-led mechanisms of cooperation and dialogue. Second, the success of each ASEAN member state in national modernization and their effort to maintain regional peace and stability have made ASEAN an important organization to the order of the East Asia. Third, ASEAN has agreed to build the Community with three pillars since late 2015 to make cooperation more practical. This is also a favourable condition for ASEAN to play the core role in cooperation with major powers. Due to strategic competition, all major powers support ASEAN’s role in building mechanisms for regional cooperation. ARF, ADMM-Plus, Shangri-La Dialogue, etc., are considered as irreplaceable mechanisms of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, regardless of their limitations. In other words, ASEAN, a bloc of small and medium-sized countries, is backed by major powers, acting as a facilitator to the process of regional cooperation, which is an important characteristic of the Asia-Pacific region.

Changes in a globalized and integrated world have posed challenges to small and medium-sized countries, particularly the maintenance of independence and self-reliance in international relations. Most of the small and medium-sized countries are developing or underdeveloped ones and thirsty for investments, transfer of technology and finance from developed ones, thereby leading to economic dependence on a major power to some extent. Economic dependence will bring about political dependence and loss of independence and self-reliance in internal affairs and international relations. It is thought to be the most serious challenge to small and medium-sized countries nowadays.

Another challenge to small and medium-sized countries is to create a relative “balance” in their relations with major powers, not to jump on the bandwagon, in order to avoid becoming the cause of confrontation among major powers which could lead to armed conflicts and wars. Reality has shown that when a conflict of interests between major powers appears, they will seek to pass it to small and medium-sized countries. In other words, major powers will seek to conduct “proxy wars” like those taking in small and medium-sized countries in the 20^th century.

In addition, non-traditional security challenges (natural disasters, epidemics, terrorism, trans-national crime, climate change, energy security, food security and water security issues, etc.) and consequences of populism and protectionism have caused difficulties in human and material resources and necessitated new perception and approach to the concept “national sovereignty” in the era of international integration when interdependence among countries in the world is unceasingly increased. Those challenges have been causing far-reaching consequences to peace, stability and development of human race. Thus, to seize the opportunity and eliminate challenges to strengthen international cooperation, facilitate development, prevent and remove risks of armed conflicts, small and medium -sized countries should formulate sound, proper policies and strategies.

As for Vietnam, fully aware of the trend of the times and the global and regional complexion, our Party and State have drawn up sound, timely guidelines and strategies on the basis of national interests. As a result, we have taken advantage of opportunities to foster national development, and obtained historic, significant achievements in the cause of socialist construction. It is noted that our country has escaped the socio-economic crisis and underdevelopment to become a middle-income developing one. Politics and society have been stabilized; defence and security have been strengthened; diplomatic relations have been expanded and increasingly deepened; Vietnam’s status and prestige have been raised. Those achievements have provided an important foundation for our country’s continuous reform and robust development in the upcoming years. In order to grasp the opportunities and minimize challenges in the context of globalization and international integration, Resolution of the 12^th National Congress of the  Communist Party of Vietnam determined that  it is necessary to “Ensure national supreme interests on the basis of international law for the sake of equality and mutual interests, consistently implement the diplomatic line of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development; diversify and multilateralize diplomatic relations; proactively and actively integrate into the world; be a friend, reliable partner, and responsible member of the international community. On the basis of both cooperation and struggle, diplomatic activities are aimed to maintain peace and stability and take advantage of external resources to develop the country and improve people’s life; resolutely, persistently defend national independence, sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity, protect the Party, State, people and socialist regime; raise the country’s status and prestige and contribute to the cause of peace, national independence and democracy worldwide”.

Under the impact of globalization and international integration, today’s world is witnessing changes in various aspects of social life, including the shift of power from the West to the East and major powers’ adjustments in their strategies which have created opportunities and posed challenges to small and medium-sized countries.

1. The shift of power and the adjustment in strategy

The world has witnessed three major transfers of power which have basically changed the world’s complexion in political, military, economic, cultural and social fields. The first was the rise of the Europe between the 15^thcentury and the late 18^th century under the impact of industrial revolution, trade and investment. The second was the rise of the United States in the late 19^thcentury, particularly after the end of the World War II (1945), which made this country a superpower ruling the world’s order until the late 20^th century. In the 21^st century, the U.S. considerable decline and the swift rise of several countries, especially China and India, have led to the third transfer of power on a global scale from the West to the East, changing the balance of power among major powers in the Asia - Pacific region, greatly impacting on international relations, prompting a multi-polar, multi-centre world. Against this backdrop, most of the countries, particularly major powers, have made adjustments in their strategies for their rivalry position.

With the aim of maintaining the status of sole superpower, the United States is stepping up its global military, security strategy via force gathering and strategic adjustment towards each region in an effort to contain challengers to its “No.1 position”. However, currently, Trump’s Administration must be cautious about finding the way to balance the U.S. interests in the world, while maintaining and raising its status as a superpower to “make America great again” and ensure that this country still imposes “rules of the game” in the international relations.

After many years of development, China is expanding its strategic space to confirm its status as a major power of the region and the world. It is now employing measures when increasing its military power and rapidly developing its navy to expand its marine operations, extend its influence in Southeast Asia and East Asia, gradually compete for influence in Asia-Pacific region against the United States. It should be noted that China is speeding up the implementation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, taking part in and fostering the development of the association of five major emerging national economies (BRICS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization which are aimed to build China-centred, China-driven mechanisms of cooperation. The rise of China has led to conflicts between this country and the U.S. in many regions worldwide, especially in the Asia-Pacific region and the East Sea.

As for Russia, President Putin is sparing no effort to revive Russia’s status in its traditional spheres of influence and the world against the containment of the U.S. and the West, particularly after its annexation of Crimea. More specifically, Russia has increased forces and weapons, attacked and won numerous victories against the Self-Proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Syria. It has proved that in spite of economic difficulties, Russia is still a major power which is strong enough to protect its interests and force the U.S. and the West to contemplate its role in solving global issues.

It is predicted that by 2020, Japan will have been challenged its No.3 position as an economic power by India. Therefore, to maintain its status as a major economic, political and military power in the region and the world, Japanese Government has amended the Constitution to encourage the freedom of action towards the issues of national security. At the same time, it has brought into play the “economic diplomacy” tool; strengthened its allied relations and shared responsibilities with the U.S. for international issues; focused on handling its relations with China, particularly disputes over seas and islands; actively taken part in ASEAN-led mechanisms of cooperation to occupy a more important role.

With its recent rapid development, India is very likely to be the world’s third largest economy. In its strategy, India will continue to maintain the balance in relations with major powers, particularly the U.S. and China; to reinforce its influence in South Asia and Indian Ocean; to step up the “Look East” Strategy, extend its influence in Southeast Asia, and pay more regard to maritime security and protection of maritime order.

As far as the EU is concerned, it is concentrating on settling its central issues, such as Brexit, public debt crisis, immigration, terrorism. As a result, regard paid to and resources for the Asia-Pacific region tend to be decreased. However, the EU still maintains its relations with partners in other regions, including the ASEAN.

Meanwhile, ASEAN continues to maintain and promote its geostrategic position, while ensuring the adaptability and self-reliance in its relations with major powers. The Association gives priority to implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and plans for cooperation in the three pillars, namely political-security, economic, socio-cultural Communities; narrowing the gap of development;  facilitating integration; maintaining intra-bloc unity; and strengthening diplomatic ties with all partners outside the region, including the EU.

Besides, global issues, non-traditional challenges, particularly populism and protectionism are rather negatively impacting on international relations. Those have supported the protection of partial interests of each countries; resisted international integration, reduced economic connection and support for the freedom of multilateral trade. Consequently, disputes over the interests of the countries and economic, commercial issues have been increased; even “retaliation” could lead to a trade, exchange rate war. Notably, it is the first time a populist nominee (Donald Trump) has won the election for president of the United States. With the slogan “America First”, the US Administration has implemented policies to limit immigration and withdraw from several agreements for the sake of protection of production and national interests.

Things mentioned above reveal that competition for power, interests and strategic position between major powers, especially between the U.S., China and Russia is both negatively and positively impacting on the world’s complexion, creating opportunities and posing challenges to small and medium-sized countries.

Millions of working-age people with disabilities who have the ability to work are in need of help to access soft loans to pursue vocational training and employment but there is an absence of a source of soft loans exclusively designed for them.

The problem was brought to light at a workshop on policy and credit solutions to develop vocational training and employment for persons with disabilities and promote their products in Hanoi on April 12. The workshop was co-held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP).

Statistics by the MoLISA show that Vietnam is home to about 8 million people with disabilities aged above 5 years old, most of whom (87.2%) are living in rural areas. Of the disabled population, some 65% are at working age; about 40% have the ability to work; but only 30% are actually working to earn a living for themselves and their families.

The annual “One heart – One world” exchange programme is scheduled to take place on April 16, aiming to raise funds for people with disabilities, orphans and those in difficult circumstances nationwide.

The programme, in its 15th edition, will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television’s VTV2. This is part of activities to be held by the Association for the Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans (ASVHO) to mark Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities (April 18). 

Forty-eight disabled people who are heads of businesses and production facilities will share their stories at a gathering slated for April 16 morning.  Among the businesspeople, 14 are female and three belong to ethnic minority groups.  

A seminar for heads of enterprises and production facilities will also be held on April 17, during with they will talk about difficulties in business, especially those relating to mechanisms, policies, tax, capital and product consumption. 

Luong Van Cu, ASVHO President, said such activities aim to honour outstanding disabled people, raise public awareness of contributions made by the disabled to the society and promote their start-up initiatives. 

Established in April 1992, the ASVHO aims to protect the rights and interests of disabled people and orphans. It has raised more than 2.5 trillion VND (110.3 million USD) and received 268.2 billion VND (11.8 million USD) from the State budget to assist the disabled and poor with orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation, cataract surgery, vocational training and wheelchairs and bicycles. The association has supported some 9.8 million handicapped people and orphans nationwide.

Meanwhile, the People’s Committee of the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang held a meeting in My Tho city on April 12 to mark Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities.  The event brought together more than 100 representatives of nearly 38,000 disabled people who are social welfare beneficiaries in the province. 

Vo Thi Chin, Vice President of the Association for the Support of Poor Patients, Handicapped and Orphans of Tien Giang province, said in 2017 her association mobilised more than 31 billion VND (1.3 million USD) in cash and in kind, conducted cataract surgeries for more than 400 patients and presented more than 170 wheelchairs and 350 scholarships to needy people, valued at some 1.8 billion VND (79,200 USD). 

The association will continue with donation mobilisation work, help the disabled with vocational training and work with the health sector to provide health care for them.

Among the 38,000 disabled people in Tien Giang, more than 6,100 are sick soldiers and nearly 1,200 are victims of Agent Organge (AO)/dioxin./.

Vietnam boasts a wide range of intangible cultural heritages recognised by UNESCO

Nha nhac, Vietnamese court music, is named in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

1. Nha Nhac - Vietnamese court music

Inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed in 2003), Nha Nhac, meaning “elegant music” refers to a broad range of musical and dance styles performed at the Vietnamese royal court from the 15th to the mid-20th century.

Nha Nhac was generally featured at the opening and closing of ceremonies associated with anniversaries, religious holidays, coronations, funerals and official receptions. Among the numerous musical genres that developed in Vietnam, only Nha Nhac can claim a nationwide scope and strong links with the traditions of other East Asian countries.

Nha Nhac performances formerly featured numerous singers, dancers and musicians dressed in sumptuous costumes. Large-scale orchestras included a prominent drum section and many other types of percussion instruments as well as a variety of wind and string instruments.

All performers had to maintain a high level of concentration since they were expected to follow each step of the ritual meticulously. Nha Nhac developed during the Le dynasty (1427-1788) and became highly institutionalised and codified under the Nguyen monarchs (1802-1945).

As a symbol of the dynasty’s power and longevity, Nha Nhac became an essential part of the court’s ceremonies. However, the role of Nha Nhac was not limited to musical accompaniment for court rituals: it also provided a means of communicating with and paying tribute to the gods and kings as well as transmitting knowledge about nature and the universe. Certain forms of Nha Nhac have been maintained in popular rituals and religious ceremonies and serve as a source of inspiration for contemporary Vietnamese music.

2. Space of gong culture

Inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed in 2005), the cultural space of the gongs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam is closely linked to the daily life of local people. Their belief systems form a mystical world where the gongs produce a privileged language between men, divinities and the supernatural world.

Behind every gong hides a god or goddess. Every family possesses at least one gong, which indicates the family’s wealth, authority and prestige. While a range of brass instruments is used in the various ceremonies, the gong alone is present in all the rituals of community life.

Each instrumentalist carries a different gong measuring between 25 and 80 cm in diameter. From three to twelve gongs are played by the village ensembles, which are made up of men or women. Different arrangements and rhythms are adapted to the context of the ceremony, for example, the ritual sacrifice of the bullocks, the blessing of the rice or mourning rites.

3. Quan ho Bac Ninh folk songs

Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Quan ho Bac Ninh folk songs are performed as alternating verses between two women from one village who sing in harmony, and two men from another village who respond with similar melodies, but with different lyrics. The women traditionally wear distinctive large round hats and scarves; the men’s costumes include turbans, umbrellas and tunics.

The song lyrics express people’s emotional states of longing and sadness upon separation and the happiness of the meeting of lovers.

Quan ho singing is common at rituals, festivals, competitions and informal gatherings, where guests will perform a variety of verses for their hosts before singing farewell. Younger musicians of both sexes may practice the four singing techniques – restrained, resonant, ringing and staccato – at parties organised around singing.

Quan ho songs demonstrate the spirit, philosophy and local identity of the communities in this region, and help forge social bonds within and between villages that share a cherished cultural practice.

4. Ca Tru singing

Inscribed in 2009 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, Ca tru is a complex form of sung poetry found in the north of Vietnam using lyrics written in traditional Vietnamese poetic forms.

Ca tru groups comprise three performers: a female singer who uses breathing techniques and vibrato to create unique ornamented sounds, while playing the clappers or striking a wooden box, and two instrumentalists who produce the deep tone of a three-stringed lute and the strong sounds of a praise drum.

Some Ca tru performances also include dance. The varied forms of Ca tru fulfill different social purposes, including worship singing, singing for entertainment, singing in royal palaces and competitive singing.

Ca tru has 56 different musical forms or melodies, each of which is called “the cach”. Folk artists transmit the music and poems that comprise Ca tru pieces by oral and technical transmission, formerly, within their family line, but now to any who wish to learn.

5. Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples

Inscribed in 2010 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Giong festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples is celebrated annually in outlying districts of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Each spring, before the rice harvest, Vietnamese people honour the mythical hero, god and saint, Thanh Giong, who is credited with defending the country from foreign enemies, and is worshipped as the patron god of the harvest, national peace and family prosperity.

The festival at Phu Dong temple, which takes place in the fourth lunar month in the village of his birth, symbolically re-enacts his feats through the riding of a white horse into battle and the orchestration of an elaborate flag dance to symbolise the battle itself. Young men receive extensive training to play the roles of Flag Master, Drum Master, Gong Master, Army Master and Children’s Master, while 28 girls aged 9 to 13 are selected to play the enemy generals. The Flag Master’s dancing movements and drum and gong sounds convey the development of the battle, and paper butterflies released from the flag symbolically disperse the invaders.

The arrival of rains after the festival is seen as a blessing from the saint for an abundant harvest. The celebrations at Soc temple, where Saint Giong ascended to heaven, take place in the first lunar month and include the ritual of bathing his statue and a procession of bamboo flowers to the temple as offerings to the saint.

6. Xoan singing of Phu Tho province

Inscribed in 2017 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Xoan singing in the northern province of Phu Tho includes singing, dancing, drumming and clapper beating.

It is closely linked to the worship of the Hung Kings, a belief rooted in the ancestor worship practice of Vietnamese people. Bearers and practitioners form four guilds, in which the male and female “Trum” play the most important role: they preserve the songs, select students, transmit the singing styles and repertoires and organise practices. They are also active in introducing and teaching Xoan singing in clubs and guilds.

As a community performing art, Xoan singing fosters cultural understanding, community cohesion and mutual respect. The Vietnamese Institute for Musicology has collected 31 Xoan songs, and thanks to the efforts of several Xoan artists, four guilds have been established. Thirty-three dedicated clubs also exist, and seminars are held to expand the knowledge of Xoan. Senior Xoan artists transmit the singing orally, combined with the use of written songs and audio and visual recordings.

7. Worship of Hung Kings in Phu Tho

Inscribed in 2012 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the worship of Hung Kings in the northern province of Phu Tho draws millions of people annually to commemorate their ancestors and pray for good weather, abundant harvests, good luck and good health.

The largest ceremony, the ancestral anniversary festival of the Hing Kings, is celebrated for about one week at the beginning of the third lunar month. People from surrounding villages dress in splendid costumes and compete to provide the best palanquin and most highly valued objects of worship for the key rite in which drums and gongs are conveyed to the main temple site.

Communities make offerings of rice-based delicacies such as square cakes and glutinous cakes, and there are verbal and folk arts performances, bronze drum beating, Xoan singing, prayers and petitions.

8. Art of Don ca tai tu music and song in southern Vietnam

Inscribed in 2013 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the art of “Don ca tai tu” music and song is an indispensable part of the spiritual activity and cultural heritage of people in the south of Vietnam.

The music and songs evoke the people’s life and work on the land and rivers of the Mekong Delta region. Performed at numerous events such as festivals, death anniversary rituals and celebrations, “Don ca tai tu” is thus intimately connected with other cultural practices and customs, oral traditions and handicrafts.

Performers express their feelings by improvising, ornamenting and varying the skeletal melody and main rhythmic patterns of these pieces. “Don ca tai tu” is played on a variety of different instruments, including the moon-shaped lute, two-stringed fiddle, sixteen-stringed zither, pear-shaped lute, percussion, monochord and bamboo flute. Its repertoire is based on twenty principal songs and seventy-two classical songs.

The musical art is passed on through oral transmission, based on imitation, from master instrumentalists and singers to students. Musicians need to study for at least three years to learn the basic instrumental techniques and master the musical modes to express different moods and emotions. Vocal students study the traditional songs and learn to improvise subtly, using different ornamentation techniques.

9. Vi and Giam folk songs of Nghe Tinh

Inscribed in 2014 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Vi and Giam songs are sung by a wide range of communities in the north-central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.

Specific songs are sung without instrumental accompaniment while people cultivate rice in the fields, row boats, make conical hats or lull children to sleep.

Vi and Giam lyrics use the specific dialect and linguistic idioms of the Nghe Tinh region and practitioners sing with the particular singing voice of local people.

Many of the songs focus on key values and virtues including respect for parents, loyalty, care and devotion, the importance of honesty and a good heart in the maintenance of village customs and traditions.

Singing provides people with a chance to ease hardship while working, to relieve sorrow in their lives, express feelings of sentiment between men and women, and exchange feelings of love between unmarried boys and girls.

Today Vi and Giam are commonly performed at community cultural events and are sung by artists in theatres.

10. Tugging rituals and games

Inscribed in 2015 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, tugging rituals and games in the rice-farming cultures of East Asia and Southeast Asia are enacted among communities to ensure abundant harvests and prosperity.

They promote social solidarity, provide entertainment and mark the start of a new agricultural cycle. Many tugging rituals and games also have profound religious significance. Most variations include two teams, each of which pulls one end of a rope attempting to tug it from the other. The intentionally uncompetitive nature of the event removes the emphasis on winning or losing, affirming that these traditions are performed to promote the well-being of the community, and reminding members of the importance of cooperation.

Many tugging games bear the traces of agricultural rituals, symbolising the strength of natural forces, such as the sun and rain while also incorporating mythological elements or purification rites.

Tugging rituals and games are often organised in front of a village’s communal house or shrine, preceded by commemorative rites to local protective deities. Village elders play active roles in leading and organising younger people in playing the game and holding accompanying rituals.

They also serve to strengthen unity and solidarity and sense of belonging and identity among community members.

11. Practices related to Vietnamese beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms

Inscribed in 2016 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the practices in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms (heaven, water, and mountains and forests) aim to meet spiritual needs and everyday wishes of Vietnamese people.

The Mother Goddesses include Lieu Hanh (a nymph who descended to earth, lived as a human and became a Buddhist nun) referred to as the Mother of the World, and other spirits considered legendary heroes. The traditional practice involves daily worship and participation in ceremonies, rituals like the spirit possession ritual and festivals such as Phu Day that take place at temples dedicated to the Mother Goddesses. These activities associated with the practice help to maintain part of the community’s history, cultural heritage and identity with some aspects incorporating traditional costumes, music and dance.

Bearers and practitioners are members of the public, temple guardians, ritual priests, spirit mediums, assistants and musicians who transmit knowledge and skills orally to newcomers and family members. The practice of shared values and strong beliefs in the compassion and grace of the Mother Goddesses provides a basis for social relations connecting members of participating communities.

The worshipping of the Mother Goddesses also contributes to the appreciation of women and their roles in society.

12. The art of Bai Choi in central Vietnam

Inscribed in 2017 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the art of Bai Choi in central Vietnam is a diverse art combining music, poetry, acting, painting and literature.

It takes two main forms: Bai Choi games and Bai Choi performance. Bai Choi games involve a card game played in bamboo huts during the Lunar New Year. In Bai Choi performances, male and female artists perform on a rattan mat, either moving from place to place or in private occasions for families.

The art of Bai Choi is an important form of culture and recreation within village communities. Performers and their families play a major role in safeguarding the practice by teaching song repertoires, singing skills, performance techniques and card-making methods to younger generations. Together with communities, these performers have set up nearly 90 Bai Choi teams, groups and clubs to practise and transmit the art form, which attracts wide community participation.

Most performers of the art learn their skills within the family and the skills are mainly transmitted orally, but artists specialising in Bai Choi also transmit knowledge and skills in clubs, schools and associations.

Xang Khan, a traditional festival of the Thai ethnic group, where herbalists pay tribute to gods and ancestors who taught them to cure ailments, will be part of an event to celebrate the Viet Nam Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Day on April 19.

Paying respects: Xang Khan, a traditional festival of the Thai ethnic group, where herbalists pay tribute to gods and ancestors who taught them to cure ailments, will be part of an event to celebrate the Viet Nam Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Day.

Xang Khan festival was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage last year. It is an occasion for people to express gratitude for local herbalists who cure them from illness. It is also a rendezvous for young men and women. At the festival, locals and tourists will have an opportunity to enjoy a show of traditional costumes of ethnic groups, gong performances, dances and folk games.

The Xang Khan festival will take place on April 21.

It is part of a wide range of activities organised from April 19-22 at the Culture and Tourism Villages of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in Son Tay District, 45km west of Hanoi’s centre.

About 270 people from 30 ethnic groups across the country will show off their distinctive culture, traditional festivals and worship rituals at the event, according to Lam Van Khang, head of the village’s management board.

“The cultural event will help honour patriotism, the cultural diversity and national solidarity,” he said.

An art performance to celebrate 10 years since the first Viet Nam Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Day will be highlight of the event. It will be broadcast live on Viet Nam Television.

The performance will star troupes from the southern province of Soc Trang and the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum as well as of people residing in the village.

The cultural day of the Khmer people on April 20 will recreate the Chol Chnam Thmay, the Khmer New Year festival, and feature du ke, a style of musical theatre created by the Khmer people in Vietnam in the early 1920s. 

Du ke originated from workers in the Mekong Delta. In the early days, it was performed on land, under a simple roof. Actors were peasants who portrayed kings, queens and ogresses. The singing drama uses poetry based on Indian epics, for example, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

On the cultural day of ethnic people from the northwest, the Thai ethnic group in Nghe An Province will present Xang Khan festival and a series of cooking demonstrations of traditional dishes by the Tay of Thai Nguyen Province, the Dao of Hanoi, the Mong of Ha Giang, the Muong of Hoa Binh, the Kho Mu of Dien Bien and the Thai of Son La.

The culture and music of the Central Highlands will be featured on April 22 with the performance of the Gia Rai ethnic people. They will perform a ritual to pray for rain which is practiced in April and May every year to pray for rain and bumper crops. The traditional music of the region will also be played during the day.

A photo exhibition reviewing the activities taking place at the village during the 10 years implementing the Viet Nam Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Day will be held during the four-day festival. 

The Vietnam Red Cross Society will launch the Humanitarian Month in May, with the aim of supporting 50,000 to 70,000 disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

The programme will include the provision of free health check-ups and treatment for people living in difficult circumstances, blood donation campaigns, and training on first-aid knowledge and skills on disaster preparedness and response. The event, which is part of the activities to celebrate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2018 (May 8), is designed to contribute to realising the Party and State’s social welfares policy and promote compassion and kindness in society. It also seeks to call on the responsibilities and further participation of agencies, organisations, businesses, and people from all walks of life in humanitarian projects.

Implementing the Resolution of the Party, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defense directed the drafting of the Project "The Vietnamese People's Army participates in the United Nations peacekeeping operations (UNPKO) in the 2014-2020 period and the coming years" which was approved by the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Defense, on December 4^th, 2013, issued Decision No.4792/QĐ-BQP on establishing the Vietnam Peacekeeping Center. The center is a standing body which assists the Steering Committee of the Ministry of Defense on issues related to Vietnam’s participation in the UNPKO. It was tasked with carrying out researching and advisory work and monitoring the entire process of preparation and participation in the UNPKO. Under the requirements of the situation and the development of tasks in the new period, implementing the Resolution of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission, on November 22^nd, 2017, the Ministry of Defense issued Decision No.5291/QĐ- BQP on reorganizing the Vietnam Peacekeeping Center into Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations. At the same time, according to the Project, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defense directed and guided the transfer of the Standing Office of Vietnam Inter-sectoral Working Group for Participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations to the Ministry of Defense from the early of 2018. The reorganization is an essential determinant for the development of the Army’s participation in the UNPKO to a new height.

Under the direction and guidance of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defense, Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (formerly Vietnam Peacekeeping Center) has coordinated with the functional bodies of the Ministry of Defense, the central agencies, and the UN Office for Peacekeeping (UNOP) in synchronously implementing the contents of the Project, including the improvement of mechanisms, policies, and legal basis for the Army to participate in the UNPKO outside the Vietnamese territory, negotiation and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UNOP, organization of training for officers on relevant matters, preparation of personnel and equipment (at individual and troop level) in accordance with the UN standards, or direction and coordination of all activities of Vietnamese forces in missions, etc. By 2017, Vietnam has sent 20 military officers to peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and Republic of South Sudan, including a female officer. Vietnamese officers have been highly appreciated by the UNOP for their professional qualifications, ability to organize independent work and group coordination, and compliance with regulations in relation to relevant agencies and organizations and local people. In particular, the Army has actively prepared in all aspects to contribute troops to the UNPKO, among which Military Hospital 175 is assigned by the head of the Ministry of Defense to directly prepare Vietnam’s first Level 2 (2.1) Field Hospital. The preparation includes a number of contents such as organization and staffing (approximately 70 people, including commanders, doctors of different specialties, nurses, technicians, and professional staff) and thousands of medical, logistical, and technical equipment and supplies for troops and personal domestic appliances, which helps ensure operational independence in accordance with their functions and tasks. Officers and staff of the Field Hospital must ensure their professional qualifications (diplomas, certificates, or practical experience, etc), health, and foreign language proficiency according to the UN standards (IELTS band score 5.0 - 5.5). Moreover, vehicles and medical, logistical, and technical equipment must be of appropriate quantity, type, quality, and technical standards of the UN.

A delegation of the Japan's Ministry of Defense visits the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (Photo:vnpkc.gov.vn)

With the efforts of Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, directly Military Hospital 175, and the support and coordination from the functional agencies under the Ministry of Defense, especially the Department of Foreign Relations, Department of Personnel, Department of Military Forces, the General Logistical Department, the General Technical Department, etc. so far, we have completed all preparatory work. In early 2018, the pre-deployment inspection team of the UNOP directly inspected the 2.1 Field Hospital for its personnel, facilities, equipment, and technical and field coordination skills and concluded that Vietnam has well prepared, fully met all contents and requirements, and been capable of performing tasks at the South Sudan Mission. According to the plan, in May 2018, the 2.1 Field Hospital will commence and mobilize its forces and equipment to the South Sudan Mission with the transportation support from Australia. From operational experience and results of the 2.1 Field Hospital, Vietnam is preparing to deploy an Engineering troop (four times larger than the Level 2 Field Hospital in term of personnel), a 2.2 Field Hospital (organized by the Military Medical Academy), and other units to participate in the UNPKO in 2019 and the coming years. The deployment of the 2.1 Field Hospital or the Engineering troop to the UNPKO has marked a new development in Vietnam's efforts to fulfill its obligations in an important field of the UN’s operations. It is also a specific form of implementing the Party's policy on "actively participating in multilateral defense and security mechanisms, including involvement in higher level cooperation activities such as the UNKPO, non-traditional security exercises, and other activities." Concurrently, the deployment is a vivid evidence for Vietnam’s responsible membership to the international community, which significantly contributes to enhancing the country’s position and prestige in addressing international issues, promoting multilateral cooperation, and creating favorable conditions for the promotion of political, economic, and commercial relations with international organizations and countries in the world and the region. Besides, it also raises the prestige of the Vietnam People's Army and contributes to enhancing international cooperation on national defense and security.

The experience lessons from preparing and deploying officers and troops to the UNPKO can be drawn as follows:

Firstly, the participation in the UNKPO requires strict compliance with the policies and the Constitution under the close, concentrated, and unified leadership of the Party and the State. During the course of implementation, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defense should thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the Party's and the State's viewpoints and policies on foreign relations and international integration. The Army should determine that this is one of its political tasks in the new era. The appropriate forms, scales, missions, or areas of the UNKPO should be selected to suit with the Party’s policies, national interests, the Constitution, and Vietnam laws and to adhere to the basic principles of international laws and the UN Charter. During the course of implementation, it is necessary to show a positive, active, but cautious stand and participate in the fields where Vietnam has experience and strengths and has been widely supported by the international community or in the countries where peace agreements and the UN’s decisions are in place. At the same time, the Army should only participate in supporting and overcoming the consequences of war and creating peace for humanitarian purposes without involving in coercion and combat activities to ensure the independence of its force commanding when participating in missions under the MOU with the UNOP on field missions.

Secondly, close coordination with other central committees, ministries, and agencies should be paid with much attention when participating in the UNKPO. In addition to favorable conditions, Vietnam’s participation in the UNKPO has encountered several difficulties as they take place in a multinational environment with the involvement and coordination of various forces under the UN’s framework and standards which differentiate from the familiar working and fighting environment of the Vietnamese People’s Army. Besides, operating far away from the country and under complex natural, political, and social conditions exposes us to potential risks, even casualties. Moreover, Vietnamese laws have a number of aspects that need to be adjusted and supplemented to suit the new environment and fields of operation. Under these circumstances, in order to meet the UN’s standards and fulfill the required preparation contents, it requires the involvement of central branches, ministries, and sectors. Under the leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat, direction and administration of the Government, and close coordination from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and Ministry of Public Health, the Central Military Commission and Ministry of Defense have concentrated on directing and guiding the synchronous implementation with the highest requirements. This is a decisive factor for the performance of the Army's tasks to meet the UN’s requirements and standards and ensure the fulfillment of missions.

Thirdly, comprehensive preparation in all aspects from policies, legislation, and force organization to equipment, training, and security should be well performed. Among which, importance should be attached to the selection of suitable personnel. Due to high workload, urgent time, and officers and soldiers’ lack of practical experience in coordinating multinational activities, it is essential to supplement knowledge of international laws and improve foreign language proficiency. Therefore, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of Defense should resolutely direct the implementation of the guideline “Careful preparation is a decisive to win.” Together with careful and synchronous preparation of organization, equipment, professional knowledge, laws, and foreign language proficiency, attention should be paid to the Party and political work, security, and safety to ensure better fulfillment of tasks of individuals and units and promote the image and traditions of the heroic and victorious Vietnamese People's Army in the new environment and field of operations.

Finally, the propagation and education on Vietnam's participation in the UNKPO should be promoted to raise awareness and create a high consensus on its purposes, meaning, and importance in the whole society in general and the Army in particular. Meanwhile, it is to affirm the role, position, responsibility, ability, and capacity of the Vietnamese People's Army in international peacekeeping and security activities. The propagation and education on Vietnam's participation in the UNKPO should be carried out regularly in all aspects to suit with each object in order to create the unity of awareness and spirit of difficulty overcoming to complete the tasks of participating forces. In addition to the above-mentioned experience, the tasks and solutions on organization, preparation, and performance of the UNPKO in the coming time should be thoroughly grasped and seriously implemented. It is important to consider that the Army is tasked to not only send officers, Field Hospitals, and other units to the UNPKO but also to represent Vietnam to fulfill its international obligations for the sake of national interests. In the recent time, the Army has thoroughly grasped and strictly adhered to the Party's viewpoints and policies and completely fulfilled the objectives of the Project, especially ensured to “have sufficient forces and capabilities to be ready to deploy independently, promptly, and effectively when Vietnam decides to participate in the UNPKO in any field”. The achievements will be the basis for the Vietnamese People's Army to fulfill the task assigned by the Party, the State, and the People to be worthy of the words of President Ho Chi Minh. "The Army is loyal to the Party, fond of the people, and ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Motherland ... to complete task and overcome any difficulties...”