Trang An aims for a global model of sustainable development from heritage

On August 19, in Ninh Binh, the Provincial People's Committee coordinated with the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (Hanoi National University) and the UNESCO Office in Vietnam to organize an international scientific conference "Brand value of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex associated with heritage conservation policies and sustainable tourism development."

The workshop aims to build a common vision, make practical recommendations on mechanisms and policies, issue the "Trang An Document", a meaningful guiding document to share experiences, affirm Ninh Binh's commitment and determination in the management and conservation of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee Tran Song Tung emphasized that since Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the first mixed heritage of Vietnam and Southeast Asia in 2014, the province has seriously and responsibly implemented the requirements and recommendations of the World Heritage Committee.

Permanent Vice Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee speaks at the workshop. (Photo: Cong Luat/VNA)

The outstanding global values of heritage are respected and preserved, and awareness of local authorities and communities about the role and importance of heritage is enhanced. The work of promoting, advertising and interpreting heritage values in association with tourism development is regularly innovated.

In 2024, Ninh Binh province will coordinate with the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts and international experts to implement the Project "Evaluating the economic value of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex".

The results of the Project have determined that the total economic value of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is quantified at about 213 billion USD, including core value groups such as: Tourism and entertainment; karst system; biodiversity; archeology; Trang An special-use forest; culture, religious beliefs; folk performing arts...

On that basis, the research team proposed 5 specific development models according to UNESCO standards, contributing to shaping the province's sustainable development strategy.

Scientific contributions from the perspective of quantifying economic values have contributed to fully identifying the value of heritage, affirming the orientation of tourism development, cultural industry, urbanization associated with the millennium cultural landscape, along with ensuring social welfare and equity in development. This can be considered a lesson for localities with world heritage.

Besides achievements, the management and conservation of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex still faces difficulties such as pressure from tourists, the need to expand services in the heritage site, and the lack of periodic in-depth research on geological changes, biodiversity and the impact of tourism.

Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head of UNESCO Representative Office in Vietnam, speaking at the workshop. (Photo: Cong Luat/VNA)

Through the workshop, Ninh Binh province hopes to receive contributions from domestic and international experts, researchers and managers to share experiences, discuss policies, management models, heritage conservation and propose appropriate solutions and strategies.

This is to contribute to continuing to honor and affirm the outstanding global value of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in the province's new development space, fulfilling the commitment to UNESCO on managing, promoting the value and preserving the heritage for future generations in the spirit of the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

At the workshop, experts, scientists and managers discussed many issues: Heritage brand value in the context of specific development; Trang An - a global destination promoting sustainable cultural and tourism industries; shaping the strategic vision for developing the Trang An brand towards the model of "Millennium Heritage City" - connecting heritage conservation and sustainable development.

With the presentation “Economic value and brand of Trang An Heritage: Systemic perspective on heritage and sustainable development”, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hong Thuc (School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts) said that Trang An Heritage is not only an object to be preserved, but also a brand, a resource to promote production and consumption with indigenous, cultural and sustainable characteristics. In the era of experience economy, heritage becomes the “living material” for both production (goods, services) and consumption (experience, identity, ethics) as the foundation for tourism and heritage industry.

Dr. Giacomo Vasumi, representative of Santagata Organization for Economy and Culture (Italy) presented at the conference "Scenario for high appreciation of sustainable development strategy of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex".

The doctor gave suggestions for the development of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex such as attracting commercial filmmaking and photography activities in the heritage area; training and guiding local people on promoting and developing existing values along with preserving core values. This place also needs to introduce and create commercial value for handicraft products and take advantage of and promote the results of existing rural development programs.

At the end of the workshop, delegates adopted the “Trang An Document” with the vision of turning Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex into a global model of heritage-based sustainable development, where cultural and natural values are protected and integrated into economic, social and environmental development.

This is a unified commitment, creating a long-term action framework for the future of Trang An as well as world heritages in Vietnam and internationally./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/trang-an-huong-toi-hinh-mau-toan-cau-ve-phat-trien-ben-vung-tu-di-san-post1056595.vnp