Abstract

The practices associated with the Việt beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms - commonly known as Mother Goddess worship - were inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. This marked a significant transformation of the Lên đồng ritual from a stigmatized superstition into a celebrated expression of Việt cultural identity. The inscription not only legitimized the practice, but also empowered spirit mediums to navigate social and political challenges. Focusing on the Phủ Dầy site in Nam Định province and other active spirit medium’s communities, this study examines how practitioners have mobilized the UNESCO status to claim greater visibility and advocate for legal recognition of Mother Goddess worship as a distinct religion. It explores the heritage politics from below, i.e., of spirit mediums, analyzing their use of soft power to expand ritual space, assert agency, and engage in broader struggles for cultural legitimacy and religious equality.