Hoi An ancient urban heritage is facing many risks and challenges.

VHO - The People's Committee of Quang Nam province has just sent a document to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration, appraisal and submission to the Prime Minister for approval of the Project to preserve and promote the value of the world cultural heritage of Hoi An Ancient Town until 2030, with a vision to 2035 (Project).

The total estimated budget for the Project is 2,150 billion VND. The Project targets the components of the world cultural heritage of Hoi An ancient town. The scope of the Project is within the protected area of the heritage, some areas adjacent to the protected area of the heritage with historical, cultural, landscape elements and related to the management, conservation and promotion of the value of the heritage.

In the process of development, the ancient urban heritage of Hoi An has many risks and major challenges that directly threaten the survival of the heritage, such as: The risk of urban development causing an imbalance between the conservation of cultural heritage resources and the development of tourism and services. The risk of environmental pressure and natural disasters due to the impact of climate change. The risk of impacts from tourism with changes in cultural values, the distortion of architecture and the use of relics for tourism business purposes is common.

Changes in population structure, occupation, living environment, social psychology,... from changes in ownership, leasing of business premises lead to changes in "household customs", lifestyle, living habits, and community ties of the ancient town residents, which are considered the "soul" of Hoi An culture. Risk of losing authenticity in heritage conservation activities.

Many cultural heritages are in a state of severe disrepair, many structures have become ruins and have been deformed over time, and have been lost; conditions regarding scientific basis, solutions, technology, and resources for restoration have not been ensured; there is a risk of heritage deformation after restoration.

According to the People's Committee of Quang Nam province, in January 2012, the Prime Minister approved the "Master plan for investment in preserving, restoring and promoting the value of the world cultural heritage of Hoi An ancient town associated with tourism development in the period 2012-2025". In order to proactively and quickly implement the plan, in accordance with the practical requirements of the heritage of Hoi An ancient town, the People's Committee of Quang Nam province directed the development of a list of component projects to submit to the Prime Minister for investment approval.

Accordingly, there are 4 component projects: Investment in fire prevention in Hoi An ancient town; Restoration and embellishment of special and type I relics, Assembly Halls, Communal Houses, Pagodas, Temples; restoration of museums, theaters, markets, toilets; restoration of riverside landscape, recreating the image of the old commercial port (wharfs, ancient boats, etc.); Adaptive renovation of street frontage, recreating the space of the ancient town, renovating the infrastructure of the ancient town; Investment in displaying Hoi An Museum.

The total investment is expected to be 454.39 billion VND, of which the central budget capital (capital for the target program of cultural development from the Government) is 80% and the local budget capital is 20%.

However, the ability to balance the central budget according to the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2016-2020 does not meet the capital source for investment. Local budget capital is also limited and cannot be allocated for the component projects of the planning. Up to now, the component projects of the planning have not been allocated capital, so the goals and tasks set out in the planning cannot be implemented.

However, Quang Nam province and Hoi An city have combined and made efforts to mobilize resources to achieve the goal of preserving the inherent values of the heritage, while creating a driving force to promote economic, cultural, social, environmental, and security development, improve people's lives, and aim to build Hoi An city into an ecological - cultural - tourist city.

In the process of development, Hoi An has not yet fully exploited its potential and available advantages; planning and mobilizing investment resources have not kept up with the development requirements. The work of preserving and promoting the values of cultural heritage and ecological environment of Hoi An faces many challenges, especially the risk of losing traditional cultural identity and imbalance in development.

Based on urgent practical requirements, on the basis of inheriting the "Overall investment plan for conservation, restoration and promotion of the value of Hoi An ancient urban heritage associated with the development of Hoi An city and tourism in the period of 2012-2025", the development and submission to the Government for promulgation of the Project on conservation and promotion of the value of Hoi An ancient urban heritage to 2030, with a vision to 2035 is extremely urgent and has special significance to serve as a basis for setting out more appropriate and effective goals, tasks and solutions in the coming time.

The project also proposes the viewpoint of preserving and promoting the value of Hoi An heritage in accordance with the principle of preserving authenticity; harmoniously resolving the relationship between inheritance, preservation and development, following the motto of "preservation for development" and "development for preservation". Thereby, it aims to promote the existing potential and advantages of the heritage; form a dynamic area, create strong spread and connect with promoting the potential and advantages of related localities in the development process.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/di-san-do-thi-co-hoi-an-dang-doi-dien-voi-nhieu-nguy-co-thach-thuc-140712.html