Tai tu music from southern Vietnam has won UNESCO recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, becoming the sixth art form in the country to be listed to date.

The music, which originated in the 19th century, carried influences from the court music of Vietnam's imperial city of Hue as well as folk music traditions of the region. Handed down orally through generations, the music is typically performed at festivals, death anniversary rituals and celebrations by farmer-artists.

UNESCO recognition will significantly contribute to exchanges among communities, musicians and researchers, and will help raise interest in preserving the nation's heritage, local artists say.