Vietnam-UNESCO: From heritage to write the story of the future

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son presented the Medal “For the Cause of Vietnam’s Diplomacy” to Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center Lazare Eloundou Assomo on May 19. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Returning to Vietnam after two years, with a busy schedule in three localities (Hanoi, Hue city and Quang Ninh), this visit by Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center Lazare Eloundou Assomo continues to show that Vietnam is a model of comprehensive, substantive and effective cooperation with UNESCO.

Since joining UNESCO in 1976, Vietnam has continuously affirmed its role as an active and responsible country in the international community. With 8 world heritages recognized by UNESCO and twice elected as one of the 21 members of the World Heritage Committee for the 2013-2017 and 2023-2027 terms, Vietnam has achieved many important advances in awareness and theory in the field of preserving and promoting the values ​​of world heritage.

A journey of sustainable cooperation

UNESCO, as the global leader in the fields of culture,education and science, not only recognizes the unique values ​​of Vietnam’s heritage, but also always accompanies in the conservation, restoration and sustainable exploitation of those values. From technical assistance programs, capacity building to research projects, UNESCO has become an indispensable partner in the heritage conservation strategy.

However, along with socio-economic development, Vietnam's heritage is also facing many challenges: climate change, tourism overload, urbanization and the fading of conservation awareness among some communities. These challenges are not only Vietnam's problems but also global concerns. Therefore, continuing to promote international cooperation, especially with UNESCO, is a prerequisite for Vietnam to both preserve its identity and develop sustainably.

The visit of Director of the World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou Assomo (from 18-23/5) continues to open up opportunities for both sides to evaluate the achievements, recognize existing challenges and especially discuss strategic solutions for the future. This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to propose more global initiatives from digitizing heritage, promoting heritage education in schools, to building a heritage management model with broad community participation.

At the meeting with the Director of the World Heritage Center on May 20, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Vietnam has always been an active, trustworthy and supportive partner of UNESCO, continuing to make effective contributions as a member of key executive bodies, including the World Heritage Committee. The General Secretary asked the Center, especially Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo personally, to continue to accompany and support Vietnam in spreading Vietnamese cultural values ​​to the world, preserving and promoting world heritages in Vietnam.

Presenting the Medal “For the Cause of Vietnam’s Diplomacy” to the Director of the World Heritage Center on this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo - a close friend who has always accompanied and devoted himself to the conservation and promotion of heritage in Vietnam. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the visit carries an important mission and significance, while affirming the specific results in cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO since his first visit to Vietnam in 2023.

During the meetings and intimate conversations with General Secretary To Lam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu or Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong... The Director of the World Heritage Center expressed his deep gratitude to the leaders of the Party, State, ministries, branches and relevant localities of Vietnam; expressing his impression of the positive changes of the S-shaped country in urban development associated with heritage conservation.

Affirming that Vietnam is a reliable partner, always seriously accepting and implementing professional recommendations from UNESCO, Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo expressed his gratitude that the proposals he made during his visit in 2023 were effectively implemented, demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitments to protecting the common heritage of humanity.

Director of the World Heritage Center Lazare Eloundou Assomo and delegates attending the International Scientific Conference “Protecting and Promoting World Heritage Values: Community-Based Approaches for Sustainable Development”, May 21. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Spirit of companionship

When assessing Vietnam's major challenges in preserving, maintaining and effectively promoting heritage values, the Director of the World Heritage Center said that these obstacles are global and Vietnam is making great efforts to put the community at the center of heritage protection.

“Vietnam has the responsibility to share with other countries because Vietnam has rich experience and achievements in the conservation model and promoting heritage values. You are a model for prioritizing conservation in the agenda, making efforts to apply the principle of sustainable development towards beneficiaries, which are communities,” he recommended.

In particular, in that journey, the World Heritage Center will always accompany and support Vietnam in the work of preserving and promoting world heritages; commit to continue to advise and support the work of managing, preserving and promoting Vietnam's world heritages, including Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago; actively consider Vietnam's new nomination dossiers such as Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac; Oc Eo - Ba The; Co Loa Citadel; Cu Chi Tunnels; Con Moong Cave...

In an interview with TG&VN on the sidelines of the International Scientific Conference “Protecting and Promoting World Heritage Values: Community-Based Approaches for Sustainable Development” on May 21, Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo expressed his joy at having the opportunity to return to Vietnam for the second time, in the context that UNESCO and Vietnam are building a model of close cooperation.

This is even more meaningful as Vietnam is a member of the World Heritage Committee, consisting of 21 members, whose task is to discuss and make decisions on the inscription of UNESCO world heritage sites.

Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo works at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic site. (Photo: Pham Linh)

The Director of the World Heritage Centre said that his second visit to Vietnam reflects the good cooperation between the two sides in the field of world heritage. The two sides need to regularly review work and give advice and recommendations in the process of heritage conservation.

Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo also sent a profound message: “I want to encourage the Vietnamese people to continue to support the preservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage, which are testaments to Vietnam’s history and culture. I believe that honoring these values ​​is very important, because preserving heritage contributes to the well-being of the people, to the development of the country, and Vietnam is a typical example.”

In modern thinking, heritage is not just a “remnant” of the past, but a living asset, closely linked to contemporary life and contributing to promoting socio-economic development. Therefore, the visit of the Director of the World Heritage Center to Vietnam is not only a meaningful diplomatic activity, but also a reminder that heritage, if properly invested and properly cooperated, will not only be sustainably preserved but also become a strong driving force for the future.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-unesco-tu-di-san-viet-cau-chuyen-tuong-lai-315193.html