Enhancing Trang An heritage after provincial merger

Recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural and natural heritage - the first and only dual heritage in Southeast Asia to date, Trang An is now not only the pride of Ninh Binh but also a cultural symbol of the entire region. In the context of the 3 provinces of Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh preparing to merge, Trang An heritage is expected to become a breakthrough driving force for the new province.

Valued at $213 billion

According to information from the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism, the Trang An scenic complex currently covers an area of ​​over 12,100 hectares with more than 44,000 people living there. Since being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 2014, the lives of local people have changed positively, with more than 10,000 direct workers and more than 20,000 indirect workers participating in jobs such as boat rowing, souvenir selling, tour guides, accommodation businesses, restaurants, transportation services and other community tourism activities.

Trang An is an attractive destination for international tourists. Photo: Dinh Minh

Not only a cultural asset, Trang An also has enormous economic value. At the international workshop "Quantifying the value of Trang An scenic complex and developing the brand of world heritage destinations" held in March 2025 in Ninh Binh, Vietnamese and international experts, scientists, and managers determined that the value of Trang An world heritage is estimated at 213 billion USD. This figure is measured based on the foundation of 10 core value groups including: Entertainment value; karst landscape system value; biodiversity value; archaeological value; Trang An special-use forest value; cultural value of communal houses, temples, and pagodas; festival cultural value; folk performing arts cultural value; residential land value with strong impact from heritage in the core area of ​​the heritage and residential land value with impact from heritage in the buffer area of ​​the heritage.

According to Mr. Jonathan Baker - UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, this study assesses the economic impact of Trang An on four main aspects, which are contribution to the livelihoods of local people; sustainable land use; conservation and development of heritage tourism ; long-term economic recovery. In addition to the above values, Trang An is also assessed based on the direct impacts of the heritage on the local tourism economy and cultural industries; the impacts and organic relationships between cultural heritage and settlement activities and sustainable livelihoods at the grassroots level.

Mr. Bui Van Manh - Director of Ninh Binh Province Department of Tourism affirmed: With its economic, cultural - historical and natural landscape values, after the 3 provinces merge, Trang An heritage will have a new strategic position, with the role of "development heart", contributing to connecting economic regions, expanding tourism space, attracting investment, creating momentum for other economic sectors according to the "tourism-led" model.

Brand Enhancement

Director of Ninh Binh Province Department of Tourism said: According to Ninh Binh Province's planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, Trang An will be the center of the "Millennium Heritage City", a typical urban model combining heritage conservation and modern development. Hoa Lu City is oriented to become a type I city and by 2035 will be a city directly under the Central Government.

“With Hoa Lu City expected to be the administrative and political center of the new province, this area will receive strong investment in the future, in terms of transport, urban and service infrastructure. Located in the heart of the city, Trang An heritage will enjoy many benefits, in terms of position, investment and conservation work,” said Mr. Manh.

According to Mr. Manh, after the merger of the three provinces, the connection of tourist destinations will be promoted towards forming a unified tourism value chain, with Trang An as the center. "After the merger, Trang An will no longer be a "prominent destination" but must become a "leading destination", a locomotive pulling neighboring tourist clusters to develop together, from Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam) to Tran Temple, Phu Day in Nam Dinh" - Mr. Manh affirmed, at the same time, he said that when Trang An is upgraded, it also means that this heritage will become the "representative face" for the tourism brand of the new province, prioritized in international promotional campaigns. This is a golden opportunity to turn Trang An from a famous destination in the country, in the region into a symbol of heritage in the minds of international tourists.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/nang-tam-di-san-trang-an-sau-hop-nhat-tinh-10305742.html