Touching the heritage

VHO - On the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Hoi An being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site (December 4, 1999 - December 4, 2025), the "Touching the Heritage" journey at 4 thematic museums in Hoi An's old town has brought special experiences to visitors.

Tourists participate in the themed tour "Journey of Experience - Touching the Heritage".

The program is part of a series of activities celebrating Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23), affirming Hoi An's role as a creative heritage city of the world .

Each museum on this tour helped visitors gain a deeper understanding of the traditional crafts, lifestyle, and culture of ancient Hoi An, providing hands-on experiences where everyone could immerse themselves and be creative in the vibrant heritage space of Hoi An.

Living heritage spaces

The tour took visitors to explore four famous museums located in the heart of Hoi An's ancient town: the Museum of Traditional Medicine, the Museum of Folk Culture, the Museum of Trade Ceramics, and the Museum of Local Products. More than just observing and listening, visitors were able to "touch the heritage" in a unique way, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of Hoi An – a creative heritage city of the world.

Each museum space tells a story, a piece of old memory, allowing visitors to experience a journey through diverse activities, interacting and immersing themselves in recreated aspects of life in the past, traditional crafts such as pottery making and medicine, folk games, and enjoying local delicacies—all evoking a range of new emotions.

At each destination, visitors will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of life in the ancient town, connecting in different ways to better understand the cultural activities, traditional crafts, and lifestyle of Hoi An past and present, opening up many diverse dimensions.

At the Museum of Traditional Medicine, visitors can "touch" the "essence of traditional medicines" through interesting experiences such as herbal foot baths, pulse diagnosis, and tea tasting. This is an opportunity for visitors to step into the world of traditional medicine and participate in activities exploring folk knowledge in the lives of the people of Hoi An.

The "Live Like the Old Days" journey at the Folk Culture Museum allows visitors to participate in activities such as calligraphy, traditional folk games like "co hang" and "o lang," and making "banh thuan" (traditional Vietnamese cakes). The space of Hoi An, with its vivid recreation of ancient lifestyles, helps visitors relive the peaceful and simple days of the past.

At the Local Products Museum, visitors can immerse themselves in the "Soul of the Countryside in Every Product" through a traditional market, try making coconut jam, and enjoy local specialties. This is an opportunity to experience the simple, down-to-earth spirit of rural life.

At the Trade Ceramics Museum, visitors will "touch" the story of the traditional craft through the theme "Earth and Fire: A Thousand-Year Story," try their hand at pottery making, and admire creations made from terracotta. The story of earth and fire intertwined with traditional pottery making will be retold, inviting visitors to participate and gain a deeper understanding of the pottery trade route of the Hoi An trading port.

Tourists participate in the themed tour "Journey of Experience - Touching the Heritage".

Promoting the value of thematic museums.

The "Touching Heritage" series of events is an invitation for every visitor to not only see, but also feel, live, and love Hoi An in a truly profound way. This is a special highlight in the activities celebrating the 26th anniversary of Hoi An's recognition by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. This journey of more than two decades has been recognized by the international community as a proud milestone, demonstrating the enduring preservation and promotion of Hoi An's cultural, architectural, and lifestyle values ​​through generations.

With this journey, Hoi An continues to affirm its value as a creative heritage city through diverse and authentic experiences, opening opportunities for visitors to explore, observe, immerse themselves, interact, and create. Each destination is a gateway for visitors to "touch" the history, culture, and rhythm of life in Hoi An, past and present.

For over a quarter of a century, the local community, artisans, and cultural workers have tirelessly preserved and restored the heritage, breathing new life into every space. This journey continues to affirm Hoi An's unique value on the world heritage map and in the hearts of every visitor. The program also serves as a tribute to the community and those who have always supported the heritage.

Jeff Harris and his friends from Australia were very excited to experience the museum exploration. Having spent 7 days here, they said they would return to continue discovering more interesting stories about Hoi An through the artifacts, exhibits, and experiential activities at the museums.

The "Touching Heritage" journey has also connected thematic museums in the Old Town, promoting the value and closely linking museums and historical sites in the cultural life of the community. The Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center focuses on establishing and connecting them thematically to promote the value and significance of each museum, creating a continuous tour route that offers visitors diverse cultural experiences.

Furthermore, Hoi An continuously invests in upgrading and innovating its exhibition methods, combining short-term and long-term, static and dynamic approaches, utilizing digital technology , integrating interaction and experiences, and building a green tourism destination. These activities contribute to attracting a wider range of tourists, connecting heritage with the community, and increasing interaction with the public.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/cham-vao-di-san-185887.html