To help Quang Ninh maximize its heritage economic potential

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, in recent years, despite great efforts, Quang Ninh has not been able to exploit and maximize the economic potential of the province's heritage. A number of tangible and intangible cultural heritages have not been effectively researched, preserved and promoted.

Overview of the workshop - Photo: Organizing Committee

On the morning of December 21, in Quang Ninh, the Editorial Board of the Communist Magazine, the Central Theoretical Council and the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee co-organized the scientific workshop "Some theoretical and practical issues on promoting new growth drivers - Perspectives from the practical development of heritage economy in Quang Ninh province". Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council; Mr. Vu Dai Thang, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee; Associate Professor Dr. Le Hai Binh, Editor-in-Chief of the Communist Magazine... chaired the workshop. According to statistics, up to now, Quang Ninh province has 630 relics, including 8 special national relics, 56 national-level relics, 101 provincial-level relics and more than 400 relics that have been inventoried; 362 intangible cultural heritages. Among them, the famous relics at home and abroad, attracting a large number of people and tourists are the World Heritage and Natural Wonder of Ha Long Bay, which was recognized by UNESCO three times as a world heritage site with aesthetic, geological and geomorphological values. Or the Yen Tu historical relic and scenic area associated with the name of the Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong (1258 - 1308). In history, Yen Tu has always been one of the Buddhist centers of the country, associated with many ancient architectures, built through different historical periods (Ly, Tran, Le, Nguyen). These heritage resources have been and are important resources to maintain the economic growth rate of Quang Ninh. In recent years, Quang Ninh province has promoted the development of heritage economy. But this is a new field, so there are still many issues that need to be discussed.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, delivered the opening speech and directed the Workshop - Photo: Organizing Committee

The role of heritage has not been fully recognized. In his opening speech and directing the workshop, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang emphasized that the core of heritage economy is the harmonious connection between conservation and development. This is not only about exploiting economic values, but also the responsibility to protect heritage for future generations, through the close combination of conservation and promotion of cultural, historical and natural elements with economic growth. According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, the practice of heritage economic development in Quang Ninh province in recent times has shown the province's forward thinking, leaving many valuable experiences for localities across the country. That is the strategy for a sustainable development model, clearly seen right from the province's strategic planning, associated with the transition from "brown economy" to "green economy". Taking the world natural heritage Ha Long Bay as the center, the province has shaped long-term development policies, not only exploiting tourism potential but also giving high priority to preserving cultural and historical values ​​and protecting the environment. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang said that the Party and the State have issued many policies, laws and policies strongly affirming the role of cultural and natural heritages in the cause of national development; at the same time, implementing many programs and plans to protect and exploit heritage values ​​in a reasonable and sustainable manner, achieving great and very proud results. Cultural and natural heritages have played an important role in the country's development. However, besides those results, we need to frankly point out the limitations and shortcomings that still exist. It is a fact that, in some places, the role of heritage as a resource and driving force for development has not been fully recognized; The relationship between conservation and development, especially in regional linkages, has not been harmoniously handled. The conservation and promotion of cultural heritage values ​​is still considered a task of the cultural sector. Investment resources for the conservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage values ​​are still extremely limited. The economic value of heritage has not been adequately considered. The interdisciplinary approach of heritage economics to cultural and natural heritage has not received due attention.

Mr. Vu Dai Thang, Secretary of Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, delivered a welcome speech at the conference - Photo: Organizing Committee

In recent years, despite great efforts, Quang Ninh has not been able to exploit and maximize the economic potential of the province's heritage. Some tangible and intangible cultural heritages have not been effectively researched, preserved and promoted, and are even threatened by the process of urbanization, industrialization and massive tourism exploitation, leading to the risk of losing their original value. The province still lacks diverse and high-quality products and services to prolong the length of stay and spending of tourists. The connection between cultural heritage and other economic sectors such as tourism, trade, and creative industries is still limited. People's awareness of the value and responsibility of heritage conservation is uneven, leading to unsustainable exploitation. "The context of digital transformation and international integration increases opportunities for promoting, communicating and marketing heritage, but also requires comprehensive innovation in methods and standards for serving people, businesses and developing the heritage economy. Quang Ninh needs to learn from the world's heritage economic development models; on the other hand, it can exchange and share its experiences with other localities in the country, creating a heritage economic ecosystem for sustainable development," Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang emphasized.

Mr. Dang Xuan Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Quang Ninh province, spoke at the Workshop - Photo: Organizing Committee

Modernizing heritage management tools According to Mr. Dang Xuan Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Quang Ninh province, the province is facing many challenges on the path of heritage economic development such as the lack of many attractive mechanisms and policies to promote; the need to preserve and promote the value of cultural heritages of Quang Ninh province, although integrated into the general development plans at the provincial and district levels (currently planned to 2030, with a vision to 2050), the establishment of these plans has not considered the heritage system according to the typical geo-cultural spatial structures such as in some major cultural and tourist centers, thus making it difficult to connect infrastructure in the fields of transportation, urban infrastructure, and night-time economic development in many localities in the province. In addition, the lack of new and unique tourism products to meet the needs of developing four-season tourism has reduced the attractiveness of the tourism and service economy, especially for the needs of international tourists with large spending from potential markets such as Japan, Korea, and North America. The cultural industry associated with promoting the advantages of local heritage has not developed as strongly as in some other provinces and cities in recent times. Tourism infrastructure is not commensurate with the potential of natural heritages in the area... From there, the Deputy Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee proposed a number of solutions to develop the heritage economy of Quang Ninh province in the coming time. In particular, it is necessary to continue reviewing and innovating the planning of cultural tourism infrastructure, especially the planning of spiritual tourism routes, cultural and historical experience tourism combined with high-class resort tourism in the direction of enhancing regional connectivity. In addition, promote the modernization of heritage management tools, apply technology (such as artificial intelligence (AI) technology applied to the museum system, restore heritage using 3D technology, etc.). Continue to update and digitize heritage records on the basis of effectively exploiting newly discovered domestic and international sources that have been collected and disseminated. According to Mr. Phuong, enriching cultural heritage records will contribute to enhancing the value of heritage and helpeducate and disseminate cultural and historical knowledge associated with heritage in a more authentic way. The Organizing Committee of the Conference received nearly 80 presentations from experts, scientists, leaders and managers in different fields. Accordingly, the presentations clarified the current situation, strengths, opportunities and challenges in the development of heritage economy in Quang Ninh province, proposed solutions and recommendations to remove bottlenecks, conflicts and obstacles in mechanisms, policies and in the implementation of mechanisms and policies so that Quang Ninh province can maximize the effectiveness of heritage economic resources, contributing to the completion of the development goals set for the 2021 - 2025 term and vision to 2030 and 2045. Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/de-quang-ninh-phat-huy-toi-da-tiem-nang-kinh-te-di-san-10224122111505764.htm