Special topic: A decade of Trang An World Heritage: Journey of creation and preservation to promote values

Continuing the program of the International Scientific Conference "Promoting the role and value of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in building a Millennium Heritage City and connecting world heritage cities", on the afternoon of April 27, comrade Tran Song Tung, member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the first thematic seminar session "A decade of Trang An World Heritage - Journey of creation and conservation, promoting values". Co-chaired by leaders of the Vietnam Historical Science Association; leaders of the Department of Tourism.

In his opening speech, Mr. Tran Song Tung, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that 10 years after being recognized as a World Heritage Site, this is the right time for us to look back and seek new solutions to build and preserve the outstanding global values of Trang An; continue to innovate and apply quality tourism products with cultural depth and more distinction.

Special topic: A decade of Trang An World Heritage - Journey to create and preserve values — Delegates chaired the conference session.

The development orientation of the Party Committee and the Government of Ninh Binh province is based on the viewpoint: Harmony and respect; Integration and tolerance, based on 4 subjects: State, scientists, enterprises and people with the basic motto: Turning heritage into assets; turning culture into goods; turning resources into finance; turning resources into motivation; but above all, still taking the local community as the center to protect the unique heritage of Trang An heritage site. The goal is to build Ninh Binh province into a centrally-governed city with the characteristics of a millennium heritage urban area, a creative city, a growth pole in the southern provinces of the Red River Delta, a model of harmonious combination between restoration, heritage conservation and green growth, focusing on development quality.

To develop the Heritage Urban Area in the direction of Comprehensiveness - Efficiency - Specificity, Comrade Tran Song Tung, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, suggested that delegates focus on discussing the following contents: Confirming the premises, data, and methodologies to demonstrate the historical, archaeological, and humanistic values... throughout the Trang An heritage as a basis for building the Trang An heritage urban area. From the imprint of settlement, historical landscape space to contemporary space associated with the Hoa Lu Citadel element through the periods, as well as continuing the characteristics in the process of transforming the urban area of Ninh Binh today. Building the Hoa Lu heritage urban area from the perspective of UNESCO's millennium goals on the basis of quantifying heritage values, assessing potential based on the foundation of conservation and Ninh Binh identity. Establishing mechanisms, policies, and determining specific criteria applicable to Trang An heritage to continue to maintain heritage values, adding new values to perfect the values for the Trang An - Ninh Binh heritage area.

Accordingly, at this thematic session, scientists and experts from home and abroad focused on analyzing and clarifying the contents related to the depth of pre-Hoa Lu archaeological heritage. Dr. Nguyen Viet said that there are few places that have accumulated evidence of continuous human activities from tens of thousands of years ago like here, especially this land has a close connection between natural heritage and cultural heritage. Even though the capital of Dai Viet moved to Thang Long, the archaeological evidence still shows the important role of Hoa Lu mountains and rivers, and ancient relics in the subsequent process of Dai Viet dynasties.

Dr. Nguyen Viet affirmed: These are the solid foundation for the birth of the first Millennium Heritage city in Vietnam.

Associate Professor, Dr. Architect Nguyen Hong Thuc - Institute of Settlement Studies deeply explored the aspect of Hoa Lu heritage urban construction from the perspective of UNESCO's millennium goals on the basis of quantifying heritage values, assessing potential based on the foundation of conservation and Ninh Binh identity. Dr. Ha Huy Ngoc, Vietnam Institute of Economics - Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences discussed the content of building special and outstanding mechanisms and policies for the sustainable development of Trang An Heritage Area, Ninh Binh.

Dr. Ryan Rabett, Queen's University Belfast, UK shared about the SUNDASIA Project - an archaeological project carried out in Trang An in the period of 2016-2022, with the participation of British and Vietnamese archaeological researchers, which confirmed the long-standing livelihoods of residents in Trang An. And therefore, he believes that research on heritage conservation and the livelihoods of local communities is a very important issue in the overall conservation process of Trang An heritage site...

In addition, the workshop also recorded many opinions related to the creation of heritage urban identity, the current status of research and proposals to expand archaeological research. Each presentation at the workshop session is a valuable study that adds scientific knowledge as well as suggests authentic and profound opinions to supplement and perfect the evidence and scientific data for Trang An heritage site. Contributing to clarifying the core values of the heritage as well as confirming new era values that increase the contemporary value of the heritage site.

The workshop is also an opportunity for cooperation, reference, learning and sharing of experiences between heritage cities in the country and the world; contributions from Vietnamese and international experts in conservation work; scientific and financial cooperation from international organizations with the aim of better preserving and promoting this type of heritage city.

PV Group

⇒ International scientific conference "Promoting the role and value of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in building a Millennium Heritage City and connecting world heritage cities"

⇒ The historical and cultural space of Hoa Lu capital is the main resource, strong driving force and fundamental advantage for Ninh Binh to be able to upgrade to become a civilized and modern heritage city - a city directly under the Central Government (*)

⇒ General session "Connecting Trang An Heritage Urban Area with UNESCO Heritage Cities"

⇒ Topic "Planning to preserve and promote the comprehensive value of Trang An World Heritage towards Millennium Heritage City"

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