25 years of Hoi An as a World Cultural Heritage: Heritage imprints and conservation journey

Since 2008, more than 400 relics in Hoi An ancient town have been restored with a cost of over 150 billion VND, including capital from the state budget and contributions from the community.

Panoramic view of Hoi An city, located on the banks of the Hoai River. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)

Located on the poetic Hoai River, Hoi An Ancient Town is like a precious gem in the heart of Quang Nam, preserving its ancient and peaceful beauty for centuries. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage on December 4, 1999, Hoi An is not only a living museum of architecture and urban lifestyle but also a symbol of the unique East-West cultural exchange.

Hoi An Ancient Town: Heritage of Humanity, Pride of Vietnam

Established and developed since the 16th century, Hoi An was once one of the busiest international trading ports in the region. Since the 16th century, merchants from China, Japan, the Netherlands, India, and Spain have come here to trade goods. Therefore, the architectural works and cultural values ​​of Hoi An ancient town are a convergence of many Eastern and Western cultures. That mark is still imprinted on each yin-yang tiled roof, each small street or Chinese assembly hall with sophisticated architecture. Hoi An city has 27 national relics, 49 provincial relics and more than 1,330 relics in the city's protection list. The ancient town alone has 1,130 relics, of which 9 single relics are ranked at the national level and 8 provincial relics.

Domestic and foreign tourists visit Hoi An ancient town. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)

Architectural and artistic relics, including civil works (houses, bridges, wells, markets), religious works (communal houses, pagodas, mausoleums, shrines, assembly halls, clan houses) and special works (tombs). Each type of architecture has its own characteristics and nuances, but it is the harmonious combination of space, layout and the skillful interweaving of Vietnamese-Chinese-Japanese-Western architectural styles, contributing to the richness and cultural diversity of Hoi An Ancient Town. In contrast to the rapid modernization of many other cities, Hoi An makes a deep impression with its moss-roofed houses, ancient yellow walls, and colorful lanterns. Hoi An is not only a living museum preserving ancient architectural values ​​but also a vibrant cultural space. Customs, beliefs and folk arts such as singing Bai Choi and Ho Khoan on the Hoai River are still preserved, adding to the unique cultural beauty of Hoi An. Wandering along the small streets, you can easily come across street vendors selling Cao Lau, Quang noodles, chicken rice - specialties imbued with the soul of Quang Nam. In addition, handicraft shops selling products from traditional craft villages such as Kim Bong carpentry, Tra Que vegetables or Thanh Ha ceramics also remind you of a Hoi An that used to be a bustling trading port, both ancient and full of life.

Hoi An city at night. (Photo: Minh Duc/VNA)

When night falls, Hoi An is lit up with the magical beauty of thousands of colorful lanterns. In particular, on the 14th day of the lunar month every month, the Lantern Festival turns Hoi An into a splendid, colorful picture. An experience not to be missed when coming to Hoi An is releasing flower lanterns on the poetic Hoai River. For the locals, releasing lanterns is not only a beautiful ritual but also a way to dispel worries and find a sense of peace and happiness. With its own unique values, Hoi An Ancient Town was ranked as a National Historical-Cultural Relic by the Ministry of Culture in 1985, ranked as a special national relic by the Prime Minister in 2009 and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1999.

25 years of efforts to preserve and promote heritage values

Since being recognized as a World Heritage Site, many large-scale conservation programs have been implemented in Hoi An Ancient Town. Monument restoration has always been a top priority in the conservation strategy. According to statistics, from 2008 to present, more than 400 monuments have been restored with a cost of over 150 billion VND, including capital from the state budget and contributions from the community. The project "Emergency restoration of monuments at risk of collapse" alone has saved hundreds of ancient houses, helping to preserve the appearance of Hoi An for many generations.

New look of the Japanese Covered Bridge after 19 months of restoration. (Photo: Trinh Bang Nhiem/VNA)

Important physical relics such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky ancient house and Chinese assembly halls have all been restored, managed and protected closely, in conjunction with long-term plans to ensure their integrity and historical value. The government has also applied digital technology in creating management records and digitizing relic data to improve monitoring and conservation efficiency. In addition to physical relics, intangible cultural values ​​are also focused on preserving. Traditional festivals such as the Lantern Festival and Bai Choi singing are held regularly, becoming typical features of this land. Customs, practices and folk arts are still preserved by the people through each generation, bringing vitality to the heritage. Traditional craft villages such as Kim Bong carpentry, Thanh Ha pottery and Tra Que vegetables have not only been restored but also become cultural tourism destinations, creating livelihoods for local people. The community plays a central role in preserving Hoi An. The locals have made heritage an integral part of their daily lives, from maintaining old houses to developing green tourism. Programs such as “Old Town Night,” “Walking Street,” and night markets have become highlights, both attracting tourists and promoting culture. Hoi An is moving towards a sustainable tourism development model. The city has implemented initiatives such as using electric vehicles in the Old Quarter, reducing plastic waste, and encouraging visitors to participate in environmental protection activities.

The hygiene and environment of Hoi An ancient town are regularly kept clean to welcome visitors. (Photo: Ngoc Ha/VNA)

The Vietnamese Government and international organizations have also implemented many support projects such as building a conservation fund, organizing scientific seminars and training programs to raise awareness... However, Hoi An still faces pressures from the problem of population, density and composition of residents, and the rapid and uncontrollable increase in urban tourists, especially in the old town, and the negative impacts of urbanization and service-tourism development have seriously affected the integrity and authenticity of cultural heritage... In that context, in March 2024, the People's Committee of Quang Nam province developed and submitted to the Government for promulgation the "Project to preserve and promote the value of the World Cultural Heritage of Hoi An Ancient Town to 2030, with a vision to 2035." The goal is to build Hoi An into an ecological-cultural-tourist city, both preserving its identity and effectively exploiting the economic potential of the heritage.

In particular, the plan focuses on protecting not only the old town but also traditional craft villages, the Thu Bon riverside area, and the Cu Lao Cham World Biosphere Reserve. These natural and cultural elements are considered a buffer zone, helping Hoi An develop sustainably. The specific goal by 2030 is to complete 100% of the restoration of degraded relics, and establish a complete scientific dossier for all tangible and intangible cultural heritages. By 2035, Hoi An will expand the heritage protection area, ensuring the integrity and outstanding global value of the ancient town. The city also has the ambition to become the leading cultural-ecological tourism center in the region, integrating digital technology into tourism management and experience. In particular, Hoi An will continue to promote international cooperation in heritage research and conservation, expanding opportunities to promote its image to friends around the world./. Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/25-nam-hoi-an-la-di-san-van-hoa-the-gioi-dau-an-di-san-va-hanh-trinh-bao-ton-post994668.vnp