HÀ NỘI — The skies above Sa Huỳnh came alive with dancing kites as part of activities to celebrate the district receiving National Special Heritage Ranking - a highly regarded list of heritage acknowledged by the Ministry of Culture.

Kites of different sizes and colors. Photo www.baovanhoa.vn

The very first kite-flying activity took place on An Khê lagoon, the largest freshwater lagoon in Quảng Ngãi Province.

This place is closely associated with Sa Huỳnh cultural heritage - an ancient civilisation that existed from around the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE in what is now central Việt Nam, Quảng Ngãi Province.

The culture is known for its advanced bronze-working techniques, distinctive pottery styles and seafaring skills. Sa Huỳnh artefacts have been found across Southeast Asia, indicating that the civilisation had extensive trade networks.

Today, Sa Huỳnh is recognised as a National Special Heritage site in Việt Nam, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote its cultural significance.

Guests take part in the festival. VNA/VNS Photo

There were more than 10 professional kite flyers taking part in the festival. Each used between two to five kites of different designs and sizes.

Nguyễn Tiến Dũng, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that Sa Huỳnh is set to celebrate its newly awarded National Special Heritage Ranking certificate with more kite-flying activities on March 25.

"The aim of the festival is to promote and preserve the art of kite-making, as well as attract tourists and create a playground for those who are kite enthusiasts," he said.

"This is also an opportunity for a breakthrough in tourism in Sa Huỳnh cultural space - one of the three major civilisation centers in Việt Nam's metal age."

Lê Văn Quý, a kite flyer from HCM City, said the tradition of kite-flying in Việt Nam goes beyond mere entertainment and leisure, as it has a deeper spiritual significance ingrained in the cultural and social fabric of the Vietnamese people.

He further elaborated that the act of flying kites is seen as the desire to elevate oneself to a life of comfort and happiness, and that it embodies the collective dreams and aspirations of the Vietnamese people to rise above their struggles.

Bùi Thị Ngọc, a resident of Quảng Ngãi City, said that the festival serves as a nostalgic journey that takes her back to her childhood, evoking fond memories of the time when she used to fly kites with her family and friends.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quảng Ngãi province, by organising this kite-flying festival in Sa Huỳnh, aims to draw attention to the significance of the Sa Huỳnh Special Cultural Relic, which is a unique testament to the ancient Sa Huỳnh civilisation that has contributed significantly to the region's history, culture, and development. — VNS