Preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites plays an important role in tourism growth in Vietnam, experts said at a conference on November 30 in HCM City.
The UNESCO-recognised world
heritage site Ha Long Bay welcomed 6.9 million visitors last year, earning
nearly 10.8 trillion VND (463 million USD) in revenue. — (Source:
chudu24h.com)
Vo Van Thanh of the Southern Institute of
Social Sciences (SISS), said thanks to tourism, protection, conservation and
restoration of world heritage sites were improved.
"In Vietnam, heritage tourism activities have contributed to introducing
the country’s World Heritage sites,” he said.
The conference, which discussed the opportunities and challenges for cultural
heritage values, was organised by the HCM City University of Culture in
collaboration with SISS, the HCM City Institute for Development Issues, and the
International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of
Cultural Property (ICCROM).
More than 300 cultural experts and researchers from Vietnam and abroad took
part in the event.
Preservation of heritage sites has helped create jobs and improved living
standards in local communities, Thanh said.
Last year, heritage sites brought a high level of visitors and revenue from
ticket sales and tourism services, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports
and Tourism’s Cultural Heritage Department.
Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, for example, welcomed 6.93 million visitors
last year, including 2.9 million foreigners, a year-on-year increase of 12.9
million.
Its tourism revenue reached nearly 10.8 trillion VND (463 million USD), a rise
of 39 percent compared to 2016.
The Hue Citadel welcomed 3 million visitors, including 1.8 million foreigners,
earning 320 billion VND (13.7 million USD) from entrance ticket sales, a
four-time increase compared to 2011.
Nguyen Thi Thu Trang of the cultural heritage department said: "Tourism is
considered a motivating factor to protect cultural and natural heritage sites.
It is one of the most effective means for cultural exchange between Vietnam and
the world.”
Vietnam has eight UNESCO-recognised World Heritage sites and eight
UNESCO-recognised world biosphere reserves.
The World Heritage sites are the Hue Citadel, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town,
My Son Sanctuary, Phong Nha – Ke Bàng National Park, Thang Long Royal Citadel
complex, and Ho Dynasty Citadel.
The biosphere reserves are the Can Gio Mangrove Forest in HCM City, Nam Cat
Tien National Park in Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces, Cat Ba Archipelago in
Hai Phong city, Hong (Red) River Delta, Kien Giang biosphere reserve in the
Mekong Delta, Cu Lao Cham in Hoi An, Western Nghe An, and Ca Mau Cape in the
southernmost province of Ca Mau.
Source:VNA
Xoe dance, an unique art form of the Thai ethnic minority group in Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province has existed for a long time and passed down through generations. Xoe dance is not only a popular dance in the Thai community but also a unique cultural feature, an indispensable part in the Thai ethnic minority people's cultural and spiritual life.
The Bac Son pre-school in Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district is effectively implementing a model of preserving and promoting cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group.
Through ups and downs, many unique cultural features of the Muong ethnic minority group are facing risks of falling into oblivion. However, with a strong determination, Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province has deployed synchronous solutions to preserve and promote the locality's cultural heritage values.
If Tan Lac is considered the core of the cradle of Muong culture in Hoa Binh, Phong Phu commune is the cultural centre of Muong culture in Tan Lac district. Luy Ai hamlet in Phong Phu commune is where customs and traditions of Muong Bi are preserved. Luy Ai hamlet was chosen to build a space to preserve Muong ethnic culture. The district is seeking support from the province and coordinating with relevant agencies to devise a plan on preservation of Muong cultural spaces associated with developing tourism products and improving the lives of local residents.
Nguyen Manh Tuan, a Muong ethnic man in Ba Hang Doi town, Lac Thuy district, is known as a young, dedicated, and outstanding artisan who has made significant contributions in collecting, restoring, and preserving national cultural values.
The Government Office with Document No. 2082/VPCP-KGVX, dated March 29, 2024, sent out the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the submission of the "Mo Muong" and "Cheo art" dossiers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
