THE ROLE OF BOATS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RIVER CULTURE – INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

ABSTRACT Background: Nowadays, while preserving and promoting core identity values, globalization, and integration are inevitable trends of sustainable development. In the context of modernization in recent years, boats in the Mekong Delta, although decreasing in number, still play an essential role in shaping the culture of the South. Boats are present in most activities, from beliefs and religions to social life, so they have become a typical symbol of the residents here. Methods: In this study, we used qualitative research methods to analyze the richness and diversity in shape and size and the flexibility in the function of boats in the floating market culture in the Mekong Delta. Data were collected by analyzing documents, artifacts, historical images, and field surveys. Results: The research results indicate that the Mekong Delta’s historical conditions, geographical features, and complex river systems have formed the habit of using boats with many methods and roles from social life, festivals, and spirituality..., creating a diversity of styles and unique forms boats, market meetings on the river, creating a vivid cultural picture of the Mekong Delta. Conclusion: To focus on the research objective of the diversity and role of boats, the author could not fully describe the unique processes and stages of their development in detail but clarified the value of boats in social life and sustainability over time. Boats serve the needs of transporting goods and people and carry the riverside community’s customs, habits, and distinctive cultural features. However, urbanization has increasingly narrowed the area of floating markets, reducing the number of boats and affecting some characteristics of their types, designs, and functions. This has deeply affected the typical values of the floating market culture. Recommendation: Therefore, the proposed study recommends that authorities and businesses, especially in the tourism sector, pay attention and implement appropriate policies to preserve and maintain boats and the unique intangible culture of the river region.