An international conference named “Hoi An Cultural Heritage - 20 years of conservation and sustainable development orientation" took place in Hoi An city, on December 3, as part of activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of Hoi An ancient town.
At the event
The conference featured the participation of more than 100 delegates, who are researchers, scientists, managers of monuments at home and abroad, and representatives of international organisations. At the workshop, after listening to the report on the conservation and promotion of the heritage values of Hoi An Ancient Town for over 20 years of being recognised as a World Cultural Heritage from 1999-2019, delegates focused on issues of management, conservation and promotion of Hoi An Ancient Town in the world over the past 20 years.
Currently, Hoi An Ancient Town is facing the pressures of a population increase, density and population composition, the change of owners of old houses in urban areas increases rapidly, especially the negative effects of urbanization speed and climate change situation.
Deputy Director of Hoi An Centre for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation Pham Phu Ngoc said that from the capital investment and support of domestic and foreign organizations, over the past time, Hoi An has restored 424 works, with a total of more than VND152 billion.
In particular, Hoi An has created many unique tourist products associated with many festivals and traditional cultural activities, creating an attraction for domestic and foreign tourists. According to statistics, in 1999, the number of visitors to Hoi An was only nearly 100,000 visitors, so far, each year, the city welcomes 2.3 million visitors.
According to Deputy Director Pham Phu Ngoc, promoting the values of heritage in Hoi An not only contributes to promoting the development of local tourism economy but it is also the main driving force to improve the material and spiritual life for Hoi An people. However, during the development process, Hoi An also faced many challenges.
At this conference, many delegates suggested that Hoi An city should further promote the role of the community in preserving and promoting the value of heritage, making people truly become the owners of the heritages. At the same time, it is necessary to digitize and build a detailed database system of the heritage; continue to implement plans to associate exploitation with preserving the valuable heritage values of Hoi An. In particular, Hoi An should invest in improving transportation systems, infrastructure and public utilities such as parking lots, public toilets, tourist information centres; continuing to build a safe and friendly environment in the eyes of visitors.