At a conference held in the province on September 7, the provincial People’s Committee reported that more than 182.5 billion VND (79.4 million USD) has been spent to restore 459 relic sites in Hoi An ancient city since 1999. The money was mobilised from the state and provincial budgets, foreign capital and the city’s corresponding fund.

The pagoda bridge in Hoi An ancient town.

Particularly, the province approved a project on urgent restoration of historical sites which are at high risk of collapse. Nearly 36.5 billion VND has been splashed out for the restoration work of 72 sites.

In the past two decades, 11 Cham towers in the world heritage site My Son Sanctuary were repaired at the total cost of nearly 166.9 billion VND.

Along with the restoration work, the province has made efforts to promote the cultural values of Hoi An ancient town by developing standout tourism products like “full moon at the ancient city”, “pedestrian street”, “a day working as a farmer in Tra Que village”, and “a day as a fisherman in Cu Lao Cham (Cham island)”, or tours to traditional craft villages.

Last year, the ancient city welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors as compared to nearly 100,000 arrivals in 1999. Good tourism services have helped raise the locals’ average income to 46 million VND a year.

Better tourism and transport infrastructure coupled with stellar cultural performances at My Son Sanctuary have made the area become more attractive to both domestic and local visitors. In 2018, almost 399,600 travellers came to the site and generated 62.17 billion VND in tourism revenue.

As for Cu Lao Cham, which was recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO ten years ago, the province has paid due attention to protecting marine species, mountainous areas and rainforest ecosystems.

My Son Sanctuary.

According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Van Tan, preservation work and development of tourism products have affirmed the rising position of the two cultural heritages and Cu Lao Cham biosphere reserve on the tourism map of the country as well as the region.

Meanwhile, UNESCO Head of Office in Vietnam Michael Croft spoke highly of efforts and contributions of individuals and organisations in the locality to preserving and promoting values of the heritages.

On the occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented certificates of merit to five oraganisations and six individuals, and the provincial People’s Committee awarded certificates of merit to 25 organisations and individuals for their endless efforts in preserving values of the world heritage sites.

Nam O fish sauce making recognized as national cultural heritage

The traditional craft of making fish sauce in Nam O Village of Da Nang City has been designated a national intangible cultural heritage.

Linh Son Thanh Mau festival recognised as national intangible cultural heritage

A ceremony was held in the southern province of Tay Ninh on August 14 to announce the recognition of Linh Son Thanh Mau (Mother Goddess of the Mountain) festival as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Quang Binh’s festivals granted national heritage titles

The Ma Coong ethnic minority group’s drum beating festival and traditional boat racing on Kien Giang River in the central province of Quang Binh have been officially recognised as national intangible cultural heritages by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

British Council project focuses on cultural heritage growth

The British Council has announced three recipients who will enjoy financial support from the Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth project. The two-year pilot initiative in Colombia, Kenya and Vietnam aims to explore the use of cultural heritage for growth to benefit all levels of society. 

Hanoi - city of cultural heritage

  

Source: VNA