On January 6, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed Decision No. 22/QD-BVHTTDL on including folk knowledge "Knowledge of preparing dishes from eels in Nghe An" in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
According to the decision, the recognized heritage belongs to the type of folk knowledge, reflecting the long-standing accumulation, creation and transmission process of the Nghe An residential community in exploiting, processing and enjoying dishes from eels - a raw material closely associated with local natural conditions, living and culinary culture.
Knowledge of preparing eel dishes in Nghe An not only shows the techniques of selecting ingredients, preliminary processing, seasoning and processing, but also contains folk experience, culinary customs and regional cultural identity. Many eel dishes such as eel porridge, eel soup, braised eel, stir-fried eel... have become famous specialties, known to diners inside and outside the province.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism assigns People's Committees at all levels where there is heritage within their functions and tasks to perform state management of heritage according to the provisions of the law on cultural heritage. The protection, preservation and promotion of heritage values associated with community life is identified as a key task.
The decision also clearly states the responsibilities of the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Nghe An and relevant agencies and units in organizing the implementation, preservation and promotion of the value of the listed heritage.
The fact that knowledge of processing food from eels in Nghe An is included in the National List not only contributes to affirming the culinary cultural value of Nghe region but also creates a basis for the locality to build conservation and promotion programs, linking heritage with tourism development and sustainable livelihoods for people.
