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"Cultural heritage – a source of soft energy" is creating new momentum for Vietnamese tourism .

As experiential and cultural tourism trends gain prominence, national monuments and traditional cultural values ​​are gradually becoming invaluable assets for sustainable tourism development strategies.

"Retaining" tourists through cultural depth.

By 2025, Vietnam's tourism industry aims to welcome 22 to 23 million international visitors and serve over 120 million domestic tourists. But more important than the numbers is how we "retain" tourists through cultural depth and the stories of our heritage, not just through scenery or services.

Yen Tu is both a spiritual destination and an "open school" for culture, history, and green living.

The stories of Yen Tu and Khanh Hoa – two typical locations representing the cultural regions of North and Central Vietnam – are showing a clear direction for Vietnam's heritage tourism model. In the North, after the "Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiet Bac" complex of historical sites was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in mid-2025, the tourism atmosphere there has been infused with new vitality. Yen Tu, once known as the "capital of Truc Lam Buddhism," a place where people, history, and nature harmonize, has now become an international center for pilgrimage and cultural tourism.

The complex of historical sites "Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiet Bac" will be recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in mid-2025.

The UNESCO recognition of Yen Tu is not only a source of pride but also a responsibility. It serves as a reminder that Yen Tu cannot be developed solely as a "mass tourism" destination. It needs to be preserved as a tranquil space where visitors can find inner peace and discover the harmonious blend of history, culture, and nature. The management of visitor numbers, tour route planning, capacity limits, and the integration of pilgrimage experiences with activities such as forest walks, meditation, calligraphy classes, and visits to traditional craft villages are being implemented comprehensively by the government and tourism businesses. As a result, Yen Tu is both a spiritual destination and an "open school" for culture, history, and a green lifestyle.

Yen Tu - a place where tourists come to experience peace of mind and discover the harmonious blend of history, culture, and nature.

While Yen Tu offers a sense of tranquility and contemplation, Khanh Hoa – the tourism hub of Central Vietnam – exemplifies the harmonious blend of sea and heritage. Famous for its captivating bays such as Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, and Van Phong, Khanh Hoa is transforming itself into a resort destination with a unique cultural atmosphere. Khanh Hoa currently boasts three special national monuments, hundreds of provincial-level monuments, and numerous national treasures such as the reliefs of King Po Rome, the Hoa Lai stele, and the statue of King Po Klong Garai. Associated with these monuments is a treasure trove of unique Cham festivals: the Katê festival, Rija Nagar festival, and the Po Nagar Tower – where national spirit and religious beliefs intertwine, creating a distinct identity for this coastal region of Central Vietnam.

Po Nagar Cham Towers - a place where national spirit and religious beliefs blend, creating a unique identity for the Central Coastal region.

Khanh Hoa is skillfully exploiting this value to expand its tourism reach. "Tower - Village - Sea" exploration itineraries are designed so that visitors can admire ancient Champa architecture while participating in pottery making in Bau Truc, brocade weaving in My Nghiep, or learning how to craft agarwood in Van Phu. Each product is a souvenir, a cultural story told through the hands, breath, and soul of the local people. Along with this, events such as the Sea Festival and the annual Sea Culture and Tourism Festival help project an image of Khanh Hoa that is both dynamic and modern, yet deeply connected to tradition.

Khanh Hoa is skillfully exploiting the value of its heritage to expand its tourism potential.

Strategies for sustainable development

The development of heritage tourism in Yen Tu and Khanh Hoa poses a major challenge for the entire country: how to exploit the value of cultural heritage while preserving its authenticity. Many experts warn about the trend of "commercializing heritage" - where rituals, symbols, and customs are altered to cater to tourists.

For sustainable development, Vietnam needs a long-term strategy for heritage tourism, where conservation must go hand in hand with exploitation, serving conservation. Revenue from entrance fees and services should be allocated to restoration, research, training, and the digitization of heritage sites. Historical sites need to "come alive" in contemporary life by incorporating technology: virtual guides, digital maps, and AR/VR applications that provide visitors with rich information while still protecting physical artifacts.

Vietnam needs a long-term strategy for heritage tourism, in which conservation must go hand in hand with exploitation, serving conservation purposes.

Simultaneously, training human resources specializing in cultural and heritage tourism is an urgent task. A tour guide knowledgeable in history, a manager who listens to the community, or a business that knows how to balance economic benefits and cultural values ​​are all essential "pieces" for the heritage tourism ecosystem. Infrastructure such as transportation, accommodation, and heritage information centers need to be invested in comprehensively to connect regions, facilitate convenient travel for tourists, and create a truly authentic "Vietnamese Heritage Route."

Heritage tourism not only brings economic benefits but also plays a crucial role in fostering national pride and spreading Vietnamese identity to the world.

Heritage tourism not only brings economic benefits but also plays a crucial role in fostering national pride and spreading Vietnamese identity to the world. From the sacred Yen Tu to the vibrant colors of Khanh Hoa's sea and Cham culture, each heritage site is a piece of the puzzle in the shared story of Vietnam's land, people, and culture.

Each product is a souvenir, a cultural story told through the hands, breath, and soul of the local people.

In the context of global integration, the value of heritage, if properly exploited, will help Vietnam attract tourists and affirm its position as a nation rich in identity and responsible to its past. This is the path for us to not only "sell entrance tickets" but also "sell experiences, stories, and national pride." Yen Tu, Khanh Hoa, and thousands of other historical sites across the country are waiting to be retold with emotion, creativity, and the heartfelt dedication of those involved in tourism with vision and expertise.

Yen Tu, Khanh Hoa, and thousands of other sites and historical relics across the country are waiting to be retold with emotion, creativity, and the heartfelt dedication of those involved in tourism with vision and expertise.

A historical site only truly comes alive when the surrounding community benefits, when people feel proud and responsible for protecting it. Heritage tourism cannot be separated from the community, because it is the community that preserves the "soul" of the site.

Heritage tourism cannot be separated from the community, because it is the community that preserves the "soul" of the historical site.

Source: https://vtv.vn/bao-ton-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-gan-voi-phat-trien-du-lich-100251112213513235.htm