Promoting heritage values ​​associated with tourism development of Ho Dynasty Citadel

The World Cultural Heritage of Ho Dynasty Citadel is not only the pride of Thanh Hoa but also an attractive destination, harmoniously combining conservation and tourism development.

Preserve and promote heritage values

Ho Dynasty Citadel recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage   in 2011 affirmed the integrity, authenticity and outstanding global value of this unique heritage. This is not only the pride of Thanh Hoa but also of the whole country in the historical and cultural flow of the nation.

Immediately after the heritage was recognized by UNESCO, Thanh Hoa province immediately began to build and implement strategic tasks in the management and conservation of this heritage site. In which, the task of building and implementing a master plan to preserve and promote the value of the heritage site is considered the top priority task.

Ho Dynasty Citadel, World Cultural Heritage. Photo: Dinh Minh

Mr. Trinh Huu Anh, Deputy Director of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center, shared with reporters of the Industry and Trade Newspaper: The scope and scale of the heritage planning is determined on an area of ​​5,078.5 hectares, including the core zone and buffer zone. Of which, the core zone is 155.5 hectares wide, including 03 components of the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Cultural Heritage Site: the Inner Citadel, La Thanh and Nam Giao Altar.

The buffer zone is 4,923 hectares wide, including: National and provincial relics and religious works (including protection zones I and II) with an area of ​​54.87 hectares (of which Ly Cung occupies an area of ​​4.03 hectares); the landscape area of ​​hills, mountains, rivers and lakes related to the world heritage site of Ho Dynasty Citadel; the area to promote the value of relics for tourism ; Vinh Loc town; villages and fields, with a total area of ​​4,868.13 hectares.

Archaeological activities at the Ho Dynasty Citadel in recent times have achieved extremely brilliant achievements, strongly demonstrating the integrity, authenticity and outstanding global value of this heritage. Photo: Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center

Up to now, the master plan for preserving and promoting the value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel relic and its surrounding areas in association with tourism development is being urgently implemented in accordance with the spirit of approval by the Prime Minister . On October 11, 2021, the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Council also issued Resolution No. 158/NQ-HDND on the investment policy for the project to preserve and restore a number of construction items in the inner citadel area of ​​the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site (project group No. 3, phase 1) with a total investment of over 745 billion, period 2022 - 2025.

“This demonstrates Thanh Hoa province’s attention to investment in resources and policy mechanisms in implementing the Master Plan, while also contributing to fulfilling its commitments to UNESCO in preserving and promoting the value of the world cultural heritage of Ho Dynasty Citadel that Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee is striving to implement,” said Mr. Trinh Huu Anh.

Effectiveness from innovation of experience of visiting Ho Dynasty Citadel

In recent times, in parallel with the management, research, excavation and conservation of the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage, the work of promoting the value of the heritage site to domestic and international friends has been focused on and effectively implemented by Thanh Hoa province and relevant agencies.

Tourists visit the Ho Dynasty Citadel during the recent April 30 - May 1 holiday. Photo: Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center

Every year, the heritage attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, the tourist base is also more diverse and rich, not only domestic and foreign visitors but also international visitors are increasing.

Stemming from the practical need to innovate tourism products to satisfy visitors, Ho Dynasty Citadel tourism has made many innovations, meeting the needs of visitors when coming to the heritage. Many new tourism products have been deployed and received positive feedback from visitors.

Currently, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center has put into operation the exhibition of “Agricultural space of Tay Do region”, with the purpose of displaying and introducing to the public, especially the young generation, a better understanding of traditional farming tools, the simple and honest life, the industrious and creative spirit of farmers, containing the simple and pure cultural activities of people and Vietnamese villages. Thereby, contributing to the preservation of the values ​​of material and spiritual cultural heritage and the quintessence of our ancestors.

The younger generation has more opportunities to learn about the traditional farming tools of their ancestors. Photo: Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center

In addition to the additional exhibition room of relics and artifacts related to the Ho Dynasty, the excavation and archaeology in the inner city area of ​​the Ho Dynasty Citadel have achieved many important results, contributing to demonstrating the outstanding global value of the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage Site. The artifacts collected from the excavation and archaeology have themselves told the cultural story of many successive dynasties in the history of the existence and development of the Tay Do citadel.

To continue and promote the unchanging values ​​from the excavated artifacts, and at the same time bring those values ​​closer to the community and the public, the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center has put into operation the " outdoor artifact display space", displaying "models of cannons and reforms of the Ho Dynasty", and exploiting the " space for displaying citadel stones" as a new check-in point at the South Gate.

In particular, when visiting the Ho Dynasty Citadel heritage, tourists can choose new sightseeing routes by electric car service.

Tourists are given a presentation by tour guides about the precious artifacts at the Ho Dynasty Citadel. Photo: Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center

Currently, the Center has been including the adjacent relics in the buffer zone in the tour program at the Heritage by building 4 tour routes such as: Route 1: Ho Dynasty Citadel - To the Heritage; Route 2: Ho Dynasty Citadel - And traditional villages; Route 3: Ho Dynasty Citadel - Buffer zone spirituality; Route 4: Ho Dynasty Citadel - Relics and landscapes in the buffer zone.

“This is an area that contains all the cultural elements, contributing to the completeness of a citadel, with religious buildings, temples, traditional villages, ancient roads, markets, river wharves, historical sites, wild stories, natural landscapes... thereby helping visitors have the most intuitive view of the land and people of Tay Do” , Deputy Director of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center Trinh Huu Anh shared.

Many innovations in tourism activities at the Ho Dynasty Citadel have brought positive results, highly appreciated by tourists. Photo: Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center

In fact, the innovation and diversification of tourist routes associated with the characteristics of the World Heritage Site of Ho Dynasty Citadel in recent times has achieved many initial successes, contributing to fundamentally changing the awareness of tourists and local communities when visiting.

Here, visitors can experience a variety of cultural spaces through exhibits and archaeological models associated with the cultural characteristics of the heritage site. Tour routes are constantly expanded and enhanced to historical sites, scenic spots, and traditional villages in the heritage area.

In addition, the improved thinking, awareness and expertise of the Heritage's tour guide team has brought satisfaction to the public when they are welcomed and served attentively when visiting and experiencing tourism products at the heritage.

The efforts and innovations of the Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation Center in the conservation and promotion of heritage values ​​in recent times have brought about extremely practical results. UNESCO highly appreciated the heritage conservation work at its annual meetings; local communities and tourists have given positive assessments and feedback on innovative tourism activities at the heritage.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-gan-voi-phat-trien-du-lich-thanh-nha-ho-387148.html