Hoi An - A shining example of preserving and promoting heritage values.

From an ancient trading port to a World Heritage site, Hoi An (Da Nang) is one of the localities that has done a good job of preserving and promoting cultural values ​​through creative and attractive methods.

A corner of Hoi An Old Town ( Quang Nam province).

In particular, the museum system in Hoi An is increasingly asserting its role as a bridge between the past and the present, between the community and tourists.

With innovations in exhibition, interactive experiences, and the application of digital technology , the series of thematic museums in Hoi An not only contributes to promoting the local image but can also become a practical model for building a closely linked value chain between tangible and intangible heritage spaces.

Spatial linkage, thematic content specialization

Over the years, the heritage city of Hoi An has consistently been honored in numerous international awards. According to statistics from 2024, Hoi An city (formerly part of Quang Nam province) welcomed over 4.4 million visitors, of which approximately 3.2 million were international tourists; in the first six months of 2025, Hoi An welcomed 2.8 million visitors, an increase of 17.4% compared to the same period.

From July 1st onwards, Hoi An city was divided into three wards: Hoi An, Hoi An Dong, and Hoi An Tay, and Tan Hiep commune belonged to Da Nang city.

Along with festival activities, the development of a system of seven museums has contributed to creating a distinctive cultural attraction, including: Hoi An Museum (also known as Hoi An History-Culture Museum), Sa Huynh Culture Museum, Trade Ceramics Museum, Folk Culture Museum, Traditional Medicine Museum, Hoi An Local Products Museum, and Hoi An Silk Museum. The museums are harmoniously arranged within the old town, mainly in heritage houses, creating a continuous cultural map, convenient for tourists to explore on foot within a radius of 1-2 km.

According to cultural researcher Nguyen Chi Trung, former Director of the Hoi An Cultural Heritage Conservation Management Center, artifacts serve as "historical witnesses" that help the public gain a deeper understanding of architecture and life in each period. Specialized museums help visitors access the system of ancient artifacts in a visual and convincing way.

Each museum focuses on a specific aspect of Hoi An's culture. For example: the Sa Huynh Culture Museum displays archaeological artifacts from the indigenous culture over 2,000 years old; the Trade Ceramics Museum showcases ancient trade through ceramic artifacts from Japan, China, West Asia, etc.; the Traditional Medicine Museum recreates indigenous knowledge through medicinal herbs, local products, and folk remedies. At the end of 2024, the Hoi An Local Products Museum officially opened, completing the network of thematic museums with over 300 artifacts, ancient maps, and images of endemic products such as bird's nest, pepper, vegetables, fish sauce, cinnamon, tea, and agarwood.

This space is closely connected to other museums and historical sites, forming a continuous exploration route rich in cultural depth.

In fact, since the early 1990s, the Hoi An government and tourism industry have been interested in building a museum model integrated with tourism. In particular, international museum professional principles (according to ICOM) have been applied from an early stage, from collection, preservation, and research to promotion and education.

Amidst the strong digital transformation in museum systems nationwide, Hoi An also focuses on training museum staff, especially in technology application, image processing, and communication skills. As a result, exhibits are becoming increasingly professional, creating engaging experiences for the public of all ages and across multiple platforms.

Innovate your approach and spread your values.

One of the factors contributing to the appeal of museums in Hoi An is the combination of static exhibits and experiential activities. Many activities such as folk painting, pottery making, dó paper making, tea brewing, traditional cake making, pulse diagnosis, herbal foot baths, etc., are regularly organized, allowing visitors to "touch" and "live" amidst the heritage.

During festivals such as Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, museums collaborate to organize folk markets, offering workshops on making paper masks, decorating palm-leaf fans, folding lanterns, etc., attracting a wide range of visitors including families with young children, foreign tourists, and teenagers.

The museum system also strongly supports research, education, and promotion. Hoi An is actively applying technology to bring museums closer to the public. Online exhibitions, livestreaming, integrating QR codes on artifacts, and organizing competitions for promotional videos about heritage are being widely implemented.

Museums, in collaboration with local education departments, regularly organize discovery and learning programs for groups of children aged 5-17. A notable example is the "Let's Explore the Museum Together" program at the Hoi An Museum, where children are divided into age groups to learn about cultural topics, create crafts, and participate in interactive games.

Many local artisans, healers, and craftspeople become "storytellers" at museums, passing on folk knowledge to visitors and younger generations. This connection between museums and daily life ensures that heritage remains connected to the community and becomes a source of pride.

The systematic approach and close connection with the community have helped the Hoi An museum system contribute to diversifying tourism products and reducing pressure on crowded attractions such as the Japanese Bridge, assembly halls, and ancient houses.

In the future, specialized museums will continue to receive investment in technology, the application of digital learning materials, and linkages with nearby destinations such as craft villages, the Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve, and the Thanh Ha pottery village... to expand cultural and ecological tour routes, making museums an inseparable part of the journey to explore Hoi An.

MY HANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hoi-an-diem-sang-giu-gin-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-post894439.html