White Thái women make khẩu xén cakes. — VNA/VNS Photo Trịnh Xuân Tư

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recently inscribed the decorative art on costumes of the Lào ethnic group and the making of khẩu xén and chí chọp cakes by the White Thái ethnic group on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

With these additions, Điện Biên Province now has 20 cultural elements on the list.

The Lào ethnic people reside primarily across 23 villages in Điện Biên and Điện Biên Đông districts. Their intricate handwoven textiles have long been part of their daily life, symbolising cultural resilience and economic empowerment for the local women.

The White Thái people, meanwhile, celebrate their culinary legacy through two iconic dishes: khẩu xén and chí cọp cakes. The former is a delightful treat that combines rice, sesame seeds, chicken eggs and a touch of sweetness, and the latter, rice, sweet gourd and some specific leaves.

The recognition of cultural practices has played a significant role in preserving and promoting the cultural values of the ethnic groups in the province. — VNS