Ho Chi Minh City, Feb. 8 -- Ho Chi Minh City's merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau has formed an expansive mega-city, broadening the scale and diversity of its cultural heritage landscape while presenting fresh opportunities and challenges that demand a more coordinated and forward-looking preservation strategy aligned with the city's long-term development goals.

The southern city is home to a rich pool of intangible cultural heritage, including three elements recognised by UNESCO: Ca Tru ceremonial singing, southern amateur music (Don Ca Tai Tu), and the Mother Goddess worship of the Three Realms, along with 15 traditions listed in the national intangible cultural heritage inventory. Many of these legacies, ranging from festivals...