Oc Eo - Ba The on the Road to World Heritage: Part 3: Preserving the Monuments Sustainably Over Time

A team of domestic and international experts on a field survey to advise on the preparation of the World Heritage dossier for Oc Eo - Ba The. Photo: Provided by the Oc Eo Cultural Relics Management Board.

After a heavy rain, water still pooled in long streaks along the path at the foot of Ba Thê mountain in Óc Eo commune. Grass grew rapidly, covering the edges of the brick foundations and low mounds. A shelter was erected to protect the relics, but the wind still blew through. This illustrates that preserving relics in the lowlands constantly faces the challenges of weather, water levels, soil erosion, and year-round farming. When the Óc Eo - Ba Thê dossier entered the UNESCO process, the concepts of integrity and authenticity became mandatory requirements, manifesting in questions such as: What to preserve? To what extent? How to preserve it, and who will preserve it? And under what conditions of constantly changing life?

Integrity and authenticity

In UNESCO's understanding, integrity refers to the completeness of the constituent elements of a universally outstanding value, along with the integrity of the connections between those elements. For Oc Eo - Ba The, integrity cannot be measured solely by how many foundation stones or architectural fragments remain. The integrity of this complex lies in its overall spatial context, encompassing Ba The Mountain, the surrounding plain, and the system of related remains including ramparts, canals, settlements, religious sites, handicrafts, and trade.

Mr. Pham Van Tung, Deputy Head of the Professional and Museum Department of the Oc Eo Cultural Relics Management Board, explained that the core and buffer zones in the dossier are the boundaries protecting the core attributes of the heritage. If only a few aesthetically pleasing points are preserved while the rest is disrupted, the story of the ancient city will be fragmented. In that case, Oc Eo - Ba The would only be a few scattered fragments, while UNESCO needs a complete picture of a residential and trading center associated with the Oc Eo culture and the Funan context. According to Mr. Tung, in the delta region, the system of canals and ancient canal remnants is the "backbone" of the historical space. Canals are engineering structures, transportation routes, trade routes, and community connections. If traces of this system are lost, the proof of the urban and port city model will be weakened. Therefore, complete preservation here means preserving the entire space, not just a few brick foundations.

If integrity refers to the completeness of a system, then authenticity refers to the reliability of what remains. UNESCO requires heritage sites to maintain authenticity in terms of location, materials, function, and context. Simply put, heritage must be "real" in its core attributes, and this "realism" must be proven with evidence. In the case of Óc Eo - Ba Thê, authenticity is demonstrated through architectural remains and the spatial distribution of the sites. Where the remains are located, their structure, the materials used, their age, and their relationship to the canal system—all are data. When this data is correctly recorded, properly protected, and correctly interpreted, authenticity is strengthened.

Authenticity is further demonstrated by the system of discovered artifacts. The nomination dossier emphasizes representative groups of artifacts including: inscriptions, religious statues, currency, jewelry, and traces of goods originating from trade. These artifacts reflect both religious life and the network of commodity exchange, while also contributing to the determination of age and cultural context. For those in charge of media and press relations, we pay attention to a very important detail in the authentication story. When an artifact is separated from its discovery site or when the stratigraphic context is disturbed, its informational value is greatly reduced. Therefore, preventing illegal excavation and trading of artifacts is more significant than people realize. It is not only a matter of cultural security, but also a matter of science and the credibility of the dossier.

Challenges and solutions

Preserving the integrity and authenticity of the Oc Eo - Ba The site takes place under very specific natural conditions. Heavy rains can cause localized flooding. Prolonged sunshine can cause soil cracking. Strong winds can affect the shelters. Seasonal water levels can impact the foundation of the site and the surrounding area. In the context of climate change, signs of flooding, landslides, and erosion are more likely to occur and more difficult to predict. Besides natural factors, there is pressure from agricultural activities and infrastructure development. The delta is where people live by farming. Roads, canals, ditches, agricultural machinery, and land improvement needs can all encroach upon the site. If boundary management is unclear or public awareness campaigns are ineffective, the risk of encroachment will increase.

We heard from the people about their very real concerns. They worried about internal field access, land boundaries, whether farming would be affected, and how their livelihoods would be supported when the protected area is more strictly controlled. These concerns are not protests; they are legitimate demands of daily life. Therefore, relevant agencies and the government are trying to provide clear explanations, conduct thorough consultations, and establish appropriate mechanisms to avoid conflicts, especially during sensitive times. This demonstrates that the story of preserving heritage is a story of balancing conservation and livelihoods, long-term values and immediate needs, and UNESCO standards with local conditions.

According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Nguyen, Deputy Director of the Oc Eo Cultural Relics Management Board, in the nomination dossier, the management plan is considered a crucial pillar for protecting and promoting the value of the relics. A comprehensive management plan typically includes key tasks such as: conservation, research, education, communication, promoting values linked to sustainable livelihoods, and a coordination mechanism among relevant stakeholders. This approach aligns with UNESCO's requirements, as UNESCO always needs to see a commitment to systematic governance, with resources and community participation.

In the field, several tasks are considered to require clear and continuous implementation. The Oc Eo Cultural Relic Management Board is urgently coordinating with relevant departments and the authorities of the two communes where the relics are located to establish easily identifiable boundary markers, as clear markers help reduce disputes and unintentional impacts. Environmental sanitation is carried out regularly to maintain the landscape and create a positive impression on visitors, while also preventing the risk of waste damaging the relics. Control of encroachment, combined with public awareness campaigns and community monitoring, is handled promptly. The display and preservation of artifacts are being improved to help locals and tourists understand the value of the heritage, thereby increasing respect and acceptance.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nhien, Director of the Oc Eo Cultural Relics Management Board, said that based on the experience of other localities, the preparation for the UNESCO field assessment of Oc Eo - Ba The has been meticulously planned, including organizing well-structured explanations, establishing a clear signage system, and developing a scientific reception plan. The Provincial People's Committee established a Steering Committee to build the nomination dossier for the Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site to ensure smooth coordination between the Management Board and relevant departments and commune authorities. “When UNESCO experts come to Oc Eo - Ba The, they will see both the relics and how people treat them. Therefore, every small action of the community and the relic management system can impact the overall impression,” Mr. Nguyen Van Nhien emphasized.

After the rain, water still lingers in the small ditches and the grass is lush green. This scene speaks volumes: heritage in the delta region is never static. It is constantly changing with the weather and the rhythm of human life. Therefore, UNESCO is not looking for a perfect site. UNESCO is looking for a credible governance commitment, demonstrated through concrete actions, disciplined management, and community consensus.

10 prohibited behaviors at the historical site.

1. Illegal excavation to search for relics and artifacts.

2. Buying, selling, or exchanging items of unknown origin.

3. Taking artifacts home without permission, storing them, or giving them to others.

4. Encroaching on historical site land and erecting illegal structures within the protected area.

5. Land leveling and site preparation have distorted the foundation of the historical site.

6. Littering and dumping waste that pollutes the environment around the historical site.

7. Destroying or damaging historical relics, monuments, signposts, and boundary markers.

8. Unauthorized renovations or repairs that alter the original elements.

9. Organizing superstitious activities and exploiting historical sites for personal gain.

10. Illegally transporting or taking artifacts and antiques out of the territory or abroad.

(To be continued)