The Funan Heritage and the Aspiration for UNESCO

The successful establishment and nomination of the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site as a World Cultural Heritage site will significantly contribute to enhancing the nation's standing, while also promoting research and the preservation of heritage values ​​in the contemporary context.

The Gò Cây Thị A site is part of the Óc Eo - Ba Thê archaeological complex.

Outstanding global value

According to Dr. Truong Dac Chien - a member of the advisory group that prepared the nomination dossier for the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site submitted to UNESCO for recognition as a World Cultural Heritage site, the Oc Eo - Ba The site is one of the most important archaeological complexes in the lower Mekong River region, reflecting the formation and brilliant development of an ancient civilization associated with the Funan kingdom. In the dossier preparation process, establishing Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) played a fundamental role in demonstrating the site's uniqueness and influence beyond national borders.

The Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site is located in the Mekong Delta. This area was also part of the territory of the ancient Funan kingdom and can be considered the center of the Oc Eo culture. Archaeological research results from 1944 to the present, especially the period from 2017 to 2021, prove that from the beginning of the Common Era to the 6th-7th centuries, the central area of ​​Oc Eo - Ba The was one of the important port cities and a major religious center, evidenced by dozens of architectural relics and a large volume of artifacts of various materials. This is an important scientific basis for affirming and building a dossier to nominate the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site for recognition as a World Heritage Site.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son, along with leaders of An Giang province, conducted a field survey at the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site.

“Research proves that the system of archaeological sites, distributed from the foot of Ba Thê mountain down to the Óc Eo plain in Óc Eo commune, creates a vast and interconnected archaeological space of mountains, hills, canals, and plains. For a long time, the landscape here has been recognized as the open living environment that formed the cultural identity of the ancient Óc Eo inhabitants. The connection between the mountainous terrain and the waterway system demonstrates that this was an important political, religious, and commercial center in ancient times, playing a role in inter-regional and inter-continental relations,” Dr. Trương Đắc Chiến stated.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Bai - Vice Chairman of the National Council for Cultural Heritage, assessed: “Cultural heritage is not just what remains from the past; it is also the source of identity formation and a bridge for dialogue between civilizations. In that journey, the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site stands out as an important “junction” between the historical, economic, and cultural currents of the region. The Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site possesses enormous potential to become a world cultural heritage site. It represents an ancient port city of Southeast Asia, is evidence of East-West exchange, and is a clear mark of a delta civilization with exceptional adaptability and creativity.”

Representatives from the Vietnam Institute of Records presented the decisions establishing three Vietnamese records related to Oc Eo culture.

Efforts to bring the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site to the world.

After being designated a special national monument by the Prime Minister, in 2013 the Provincial People's Committee decided to establish the Oc Eo Cultural Relic Management Board to build a team for managing, researching, preserving, and promoting the value of the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site and all other Oc Eo cultural relic sites in the province. To date, the regular preservation and conservation of the relics has been a top priority, carried out regularly by the unit's team of specialists, with the consultation of experts in the field of conservation from Vietnam and internationally.

Currently, the Oc Eo Cultural Exhibition House is preserving 15,000 original artifacts, groups of artifacts, and specimens collected over the years. There are 3,006 categories of artifacts, along with millions of artifacts excavated by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences under a project from 2017 to 2020. The Oc Eo Cultural Relic Management Board is managing four national treasures: the head of the Linh Son Bac Buddha statue, the Go Cay Tram burial jar, the Linh Son Bac Buddha relief, and the Nandin bull ring.

According to Nguyen Van Nhien, Director of the Oc Eo Cultural Relics Management Board of An Giang province: “The relic site is densely packed with architectural, religious, residential, and handicraft production sites, reflecting the brilliant development of an ancient civilization. The remaining traces, from temples and towers to stone, gold, pottery, and glass artifacts and inscriptions, are vivid evidence of the aspirations for creativity, trade, and integration of the ancient inhabitants of Southern Vietnam.”

The Oc Eo Cultural Exhibition House houses valuable artifacts related to the Oc Eo culture.

The Oc Eo - Ba The relic site is not only a heritage site but also the source of history and the soul of An Giang's culture. To realize this mission, Mr. Nhien emphasized the implementation of important tasks to preserve and promote the value of the relic site, such as: promoting scientific research linked to sustainable development, strengthening in-depth research activities, and expanding international cooperation. “We are committed to strengthening cooperation with leading research institutes, universities, and museums both domestically and internationally. The goal is to further clarify the unique historical, archaeological, and artistic value of the Oc Eo culture, elevating the heritage site's status on the international stage. Especially, we will be pioneers in applying digital technology in preservation and display; moving towards building a museum and cultural space for the Oc Eo site that is friendly and accessible to the community,” Mr. Nhien said.

The preparation of the nomination dossier is not only a professional task but also a crucial political responsibility for the nation and An Giang province. To ensure adherence to the strict deadline, the province is mobilizing all resources with the determination to complete the official dossier and submit it to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre before February 1, 2026. This is a race against time to bring the legacy of the ancient Funan kingdom to the forefront of the global heritage map.

During his visit and on-site survey at the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son particularly emphasized the importance and deep concern of the Government regarding this nomination dossier. The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that this is a key task, requesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, relevant agencies, and local authorities to strengthen close coordination and expedite the completion of the dossier; demonstrating Vietnam's strong determination to elevate the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site to the level of leading world heritage sites.

PHUONG LAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/di-san-phu-nam-and-khat-vong-unesco-a476769.html