Investing in world heritage

Ms. PHAM THI THANH HUONG, HEAD OF CULTURE AND SOCIAL DEPARTMENT, UNESCO OFFICE IN HANOI:

Resolution needed on preserving and developing Hoi An

Hoi An is an outstanding example not only in Vietnam but also in Asia in the field of heritage conservation. After the administrative unit arrangement, it is hoped that Hoi An Ancient Town will have a new opportunity to develop, commensurate with its stature in the space of Da Nang City. Da Nang City should consider giving Hoi An a separate resolution on the conservation and development of this heritage city.

The city authorities need to update and continue the management regulations of Hoi An heritage throughout the past period to stably manage this world cultural heritage. Decisions on public assets, especially relics owned or managed by the State, need to take into account the characteristics of the world heritage site, the purpose of supporting the cultural practices of the community instead of applying economic criteria and auctioning to normal public assets. If this specificity is overlooked, the risk of losing heritage elements will increase.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council:

Hoi An has many conditions to become a "cultural growth pole"

It is necessary to clarify the potential differences, outstanding opportunities and competitive advantages of each type of cultural heritage in Hoi An compared to the region. In the new context, Hoi An has many conditions to become a "cultural growth pole" of Da Nang and the Central region. In the inter-regional vision, Hoi An has the ability to build a cultural creative space based on traditional cultural heritage.

In the new development model, Hoi An is not the sum of resources but the integration and multiplication of the value of different types of resources, the amount of value for a green and sustainable development model. Hoi An really needs a mechanism to mobilize resources and multiply the value of cultural resources that are preserved in a typical traditional trading port of Asia.

Hoi An cultural space must be placed in a close relationship with My Son Temple Complex and Tra Kieu capital. The core area of Hoi An ancient town as well as the buffer zone need to be placed in a close connection with Cua Dai beach and Cu Lao Cham Preserve - Port. Thus, Hoi An heritage cultural space will aim for a large and sustainable development. At that time, Hoi An will create a large historical and cultural space, activating the chain linkage and inter-regional heritage thinking to create an interactive effect, motivating the overall increase in the value of Hoi An heritage in particular and the heritage system in Da Nang city in general.

MR. BUI VAN TIENG, PRESIDENT OF THE DA NANG CITY HISTORICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION:

Specializing in the work of protecting and promoting heritage values

After all, the foundation for preserving and promoting the value of Hoi An heritage in the context of administrative unit arrangement is the people and the political system at the commune and ward levels. The big concern is whether the grassroots administrative units that have just come into operation will be able to take on and inherit the achievements that Hoi An urban area has built over the past decades.

The unchanging goal is to specialize in the work of protecting and promoting the values of world cultural and natural heritage, including intangible heritage, underwater heritage, etc. to avoid the situation of "no one cries for the common father" after the end of the district-level government's activities. It is necessary to establish the Cultural Heritage Management Center of Da Nang City, under the People's Committee of Da Nang City, and it is necessary to study the relationship and connection method between this center and the Management Board of Monuments and Landscapes of Da Nang City (recently established under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism). There needs to be good connection between these units and the grassroots government system.

At the same time, it is necessary to calculate and maintain the relationship between Hoi An and cities around the world. In the direction of being able to transfer the relationship with small cities to Hoi An ward. Particularly for large cities at the provincial level, it can be transferred to Da Nang city.

MR. NGUYEN SU, FORMER SECRETARY OF HOI AN CITY PARTY PARTY:

Maintain the mechanism for allocating revenue from admission tickets

No matter what is being preserved or promoted, we must focus on the “human” factor. For a long time, 70% of the ticket sales to visit the old quarter have been used for heritage restoration, while 30% has been used for operating the apparatus for management and operation. This includes allocating funds to support owners of relics to encourage the community to join hands in preserving the value of the old quarter.

Based on the base reference, the number of visitors to Hoi An this year is estimated to be higher than last year, however, the number of tickets sold has not increased compared to the same period. Part of the reason may come from lax control. The authorities need to soon continue to maintain the mechanism of allocating revenue from tickets as before, in which 70% of the budget from ticket sales will be allocated to 4 communes and wards (priority is given to Hoi An ward) so that the local authorities and community have the resources and motivation to preserve and promote the value of this heritage.

Bt Hoi An — Mr. Nguyen Duc Binh. Photo: HA SAU

MR. NGUYEN DUC BINH, PARTY COMMITTEE SECRETARY, CHAIRMAN OF HOI AN WARD COUNCIL:

Hoi An infrastructure planning must estimate converted population

The authorities of the four communes and wards reorganized from the old Hoi An city are clearly aware of their responsibility to preserve this invaluable heritage, so from the first days of the reorganization, they have had a common vision of not "dividing" the management of Hoi An. Recently, the four localities have also signed a coordination charter with many important contents on management and inter-regional connection in the coming period.

Regarding the infrastructure planning of Hoi An in the coming period, it is necessary to have a correct assessment of the actual carrying capacity of this urban area. For example, the population of Hoi An ward is about 37 thousand people, but the actual converted population can be up to 100-150 thousand people, which is unique compared to most other localities in the city. Therefore, it is necessary to have a more accurate assessment when planning infrastructure as well as allocating resources from the budget to solve people's problems as well as serve the preservation and promotion of the urban value of Hoi An.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/dau-tu-xung-tam-di-san-the-gioi-3307963.html