What issues will Hoi An tighten up on?

VHO - In the context of increasingly strong tourism development and urbanization, the establishment of regulations for the protection of the Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage site is considered an urgent requirement.

Hoi An ancient town at night

To ensure consistency in the management of Hoi An Ancient Town, the Da Nang City People's Committee has assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Management Center and other units, communes and wards to draft a new Regulation on the Protection of Hoi An Ancient Town (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation), replacing the previously issued Regulation. This will create a more robust legal basis, ensuring a balance between the requirement to preserve the heritage value intact and the needs of economic and social development and the lives of local residents.

Strengthening the management and protection of the Old Quarter's landscape.

According to the draft, the regulations focus on strengthening the management of urban architectural space and landscape. Emphasis is placed on linking the preservation of tangible, intangible, and documentary cultural heritage. It aims to ensure harmony between the requirements of preservation and sustainable development, and between maintaining the integrity of the ancient urban values.

The draft introduces many new regulations regarding restoration, preservation, and construction activities in the Old Quarter. Construction projects, including installations and displays that disrupt the Old Quarter's landscape or infringe upon historical sites, are prohibited. If such projects exist, they must be removed, restored, or renovated in accordance with the principle of harmony with the surrounding landscape.

For special and type I relics, restoration must ensure the preservation of the original function of each part and the entire structure, maintaining the original state of the elements and worship space. If it is absolutely necessary to replace an old part or material with a new one, this must be done on the basis of ensuring the necessity and scientific validity of the replacement, and ensuring the accuracy of each detail of the "new elements" compared to the "original elements".

The regulations also require the preservation of original elements of the old town such as building height, colors, architectural layout, and landscape space. Specific regulations for signage, awnings, lighting systems, building materials, and building colors aim to maintain the uniformity of the old town's space. Emphasis is placed on the use of terracotta yin-yang roof tiles to preserve the traditional architectural characteristics of Hoi An's old town…

In addition to focusing on the core heritage area, the draft also regulates construction management in related areas to ensure harmony between the buffer zone and the old town, limiting the risk of constructing buildings with incongruous architecture or negatively impacting the overall landscape.

Along with that are regulations on the management and preservation of documentary heritage including royal decrees, stone inscriptions, Han Nom documents, woodblocks, and other historically valuable artifacts related to the ancient city of Hoi An. The digitization of heritage data is also being undertaken to facilitate long-term storage and research.

Balancing heritage preservation and livelihoods.

The draft regulations outline business activities, displays, and advertising within the Old Quarter. It clearly specifies the industries and professions permitted to operate within the Old Quarter, ensuring they do not negatively impact or diminish the value of the area. Street vending and sidewalk sales must comply with legal regulations; specifically in Zone I, only approved plans are permitted.

Particular encouragement is given to maintaining and restoring the business activities of traditional goods from well-known brands that existed before 1975, in order to preserve the unique characteristics of the commercial and cultural life of Hoi An ancient town.

Besides controlling business activities that risk affecting the landscape of the old town, the Regulations also prioritize industries that reflect the traditional cultural identity of Hoi An.

Sectors encouraged for development in regions I and IIA include creative activities, painting, sculpture, traditional Vietnamese performing arts, classical music, chamber music; conservation, museum activities, restoration of artifacts and relics; and traditional culinary services such as Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants reflecting local culture.

Many businesses that pose a risk to the heritage space or put pressure on the old town's infrastructure are included in the list of prohibited or restricted activities in certain areas, such as karaoke, nightclubs, construction materials, scrap metal, gasoline, and some types of accommodation services.

Businesses operating in the Old Quarter must fully comply with regulations regarding the use, restoration, and preservation of historical relics; conduct business in accordance with registered industries and professions; and adhere to regulations on fire safety, environmental hygiene, and food safety, etc.

Emphasizing the role and responsibility of the community.

A notable point in the draft regulations is the identification of local communities and owners of historical sites as direct participants in heritage protection. This emphasizes the role of the community, viewing it as a crucial and key element in the sustainable and long-term preservation of heritage.

The community and owners of the historical sites bear primary responsibility for any damage, alteration, or devaluation of the sites they own or use. They must cooperate with state agencies in protecting the ancient city; maintaining security, social order, and the tourism environment. They have the right to organize legal services to serve tourists, provided that these services do not negatively impact the landscape or historical sites. During operation, they must avoid soliciting or forcing tourists to purchase services or goods against their will and must adhere to the prescribed code of conduct for civilized tourism.

The regulations also clearly define the responsibilities of management agencies and the local community in conservation work. Accordingly, the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center is the agency responsible for advising and organizing the management, conservation, and promotion of heritage values; and coordinating the implementation of tasks related to heritage management in the Hoi An Old Town.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/hoi-an-se-siet-van-de-gi-231303.html