Understanding to develop from traditional foundation

Hoi An needs strong policies to create conditions for traditional craftsmen to develop. Photo: TC

Over a cup of tea in early spring, heartfelt words from cultural researchers and managers of Hoi An open up dimensions of thought...

They are cultural researcher Tran Van An - who has devoted his whole life to Hoi An's houses; cultural researcher Tran Duc Anh Son - who has many suggestions and is persistent in cultural preservation policies; and Mr. Phan Van Quang - Deputy Director of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation Center.

SEDIMENTATION FROM HUNDRED YEARS OF SEDIMENT

Mr. Tran Van An : The door eyes and skylights, to me, are the soul of Hoi An. These details have both spiritual and architectural values, and aesthetic values of urban life.

A few years ago, we conducted a statistical survey of more than 50 door eyes and discovered about 19 types/shapes of door eyes. Most of them are circular, hexagonal, octagonal or carved into 6 or 8 chrysanthemum petals, a few are square, shaped like 6 Bodhi leaves in the middle of a circle... In addition, in some temples, shrines, and assembly halls, the door eyes have other decorative styles.

In addition to the door eye, the architectural motif that is often seen in Hoi An ancient houses is the skylight. These are roofless courtyards, separating two blocks of space in a long tube house, a typical architectural form in wooden houses in Hoi An ancient town.

In some houses, the arrangement of the skylight space not only reflects the homeowner's family traditions but also creates harmony between architecture and nature.
These details are the elements that make up Hoi An culture.

Researcher Tran Duc Anh Son : In 2023, Hoi An will be recognized as a UNESCO creative city in the field of crafts and folk arts.

Previously, in 2019, Hanoi was recognized in the field of design. This shows that these cities have chosen their own unique strengths as "capital" to join the UNESCO network.

However, unlike Hanoi and Da Lat, the Creative Cities Network's recognition of Hoi An is a tribute to the local community.

Because they themselves create crafts and spiritual cultural life (folk art), practice and pass it on from generation to generation for centuries.

Not every Hanoian can design, or every Dalatan can create music , but every Hoi Anan can do one of the nearly 50 bustling crafts.

They can also participate in folk performances (singing bai choi, ho ba trao, hat bo, acting tuong…). These are things that are created and practiced by the people themselves in their daily lives.

ACTION TO DEVELOP

What should Hoi An do to maintain the capital that its ancestors built in the face of increasingly stronger impacts? The story does not only depend on the awareness of the community. Above all and most importantly, the government and managers will have to take action to keep Hoi An on the right path that our ancestors have entrusted...

Mr. Phan Van Quang - Deputy Director of Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center: Minimizing interference in relics is what we are striving for.

First, it must be affirmed that skylights only appear in long tube houses in the old quarter because there are houses here that can be longer than 50m, so they need space to get light and air. Old houses in the suburbs do not have skylights (except for modern houses).

Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center regularly inspects and controls compliance with heritage management regulations, restricting people from arbitrarily expanding and interfering with ancient architectural works.

All architectural components in the house such as door frames are almost not violated or changed much. Partly because people know the aesthetic and spiritual values that door frames bring to the house.

However, the same cannot be said for skylights. There are many cases where people expand, cover to avoid rain and sun or simply take advantage of the extra space to store goods, especially for those doing business.

Although this cover is only a separate part, not affecting much the original element, it still affects the function and landscape of the skylight in particular as well as the overall space of the house in general.

We also regularly check but the fix is not easy. Because people explain that the cover with tarpaulin is only temporary, to avoid rain and wind affecting daily life, so we only propagate and mobilize people to limit the impact on the skylight space but have not handled it to avoid causing conflicts with the community in preserving heritage, because after all, the temporary cover, although affecting the relic, does not encroach too much on the construction of the house. In any case of solid cover such as iron or concrete frame, we resolutely force the demolition.

Hoi An craft village people. Photo: QUOC TUAN

Historical and cultural researcher Tran Duc Anh Son: Hoi An authorities need to have strong policies and actions so that people can benefit more.

Hoi An people’s products in various fields are becoming more widely known to the outside world . This is also a greater opportunity for traditional handicrafts to be maintained, expanded and developed.

Local authorities will have to accompany people in promoting, introducing, and expanding the market for products. They must also create conditions for people to access new resources, new technologies, and create more space for creativity and professional practice.

Organizing events to honor, promote and exchange cooperation with member cities of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network will be an opportunity to help people find partners, open up opportunities for exchange and promote strong creativity.

Therefore, the locality needs to have policies and actions to develop social organizations and unions in the field of handicrafts and performing arts, to stimulate and promote the creativity of craftsmen, artisans, businesses, etc. This is both to enhance the livelihoods of the people and to elevate and affirm the core values of the ancient city.

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