Deserving to be the heart of the Millennium Heritage City

Heritage has proven to play a central role in promoting socio -economic development towards green growth, rightfully serving as the core and "heart" of the future Millennium Heritage City. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, a reporter from Ninh Binh Newspaper interviewed Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Department of Tourism, to review the efforts over the past decade and discuss future directions for the sustainable and effective promotion of heritage values. The following is the content of the interview:

Reporter (R): Comrade, after 10 years since being recognized as a World Heritage Site, what results have been achieved in the conservation and promotion of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex?

Comrade Bui Van Manh: After 10 years of being inscribed on the list, Ninh Binh has achieved many outstanding results in the conservation and promotion of heritage values. In particular, the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of heritage have been enhanced. Ninh Binh has promptly issued resolutions, plans, and regulations to manage, conserve, and promote heritage values.

Furthermore, Ninh Binh has also effectively implemented the conservation recommendations of the World Heritage Committee, such as supporting research and publishing scientific studies. This contributes to supplementing and strengthening information about heritage, enriching cultural and natural values in the face of climate change adaptation.

The adjustment of boundaries, assessment of tourist carrying capacity, and other recommendations from the World Heritage Committee on the management, conservation, and promotion of heritage values have been strictly implemented. Simultaneously, the promotion and dissemination of Trang An Heritage values in conjunction with tourism development have been given attention and effectively carried out.

In particular, environmental and landscape management in the heritage area is carried out regularly and continuously, such as disseminating information, mobilizing, reminding, and urging organizations, businesses, and local communities to comply with regulations on protecting the landscape and environment of the heritage area; organizing patrols to promptly detect violations of regulations on construction order and accommodation business...

Over the past 10 years, the sector has collaborated with domestic and international experts and organizations to successfully implement numerous heritage conservation projects and research, such as the successful reintroduction of the white-faced langur at Trang An, the project to promote heritage management and sustainable tourism development at the Trang An Cultural and World Heritage Site, and the project on managing world heritage sites post-COVID-19…

These achievements have been recognized and highly appreciated by all levels of government, organizations, as well as the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Centre. During his visit to the Trang An Heritage Site in 2022, the Director-General of UNESCO remarked: "Trang An is one of the most exemplary and outstanding models in the world of the successful combination of economic development and sustainable tourism." This serves as motivation for Ninh Binh to continue implementing recommendations to better preserve and promote the value of the Trang An Heritage Site in the coming period.

Deserving to be the heart of the Millennium Heritage City — The road to Tam Coc. Photo: Truong Huy

PV: To what extent have preparations for the commemorative activities progressed at this point, Comrade?

Mr. Bui Van Manh: In the past period, under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Tourism has actively and proactively coordinated with agencies and units in the province to establish the Organizing Committee for activities commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site.

Agencies and units have developed plans, assigned tasks, and implemented them on schedule. The Department has coordinated with domestic and international news agencies to promote the purpose and significance of the event, as well as the beauty and potential of the land and people of the ancient capital.

This will create a widespread ripple effect among all segments of the population, making Ninh Binh's image increasingly prominent on the domestic and international tourism map. The Department has coordinated and surveyed tourism service facilities, activity areas, main roads, and access roads to tourist areas and attractions to develop plans and estimates for conducting bidding according to regulations.

For the commemorative program, scheduled to take place on April 26th, the tourism industry and event organizers are developing a program script and a plan for celebratory activities.

PV: Ninh Binh is striving to achieve the goal of building a Millennium Heritage City, with the Trang An Heritage Site considered the resource, the "heart" of realizing this goal. In your opinion, what significance do the upcoming commemorative activities have for the province's efforts?

Comrade Bui Van Manh: Not only does Trang An Heritage Site concentrate invaluable cultural values, but it also fully embodies the landscape of a millennium-old heritage city, such as the ancient capital's space characterized by naturally formed city walls, history, and continuity; the heritage's infrastructure; the pace of socio-economic development; and the added value and influence of the heritage…

However, the invaluable values of the Trang An Heritage Site still contain many mysteries that experts and scientists are continuing to research and decipher in order to better convey and explain them to the people and tourists in the future.

The series of activities commemorating the 10th anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the immense contributions of all levels of government, sectors, individuals, organizations, experts, researchers both domestically and internationally, as well as the entire population. At the same time, it serves to introduce, honor, and elevate the value of the Trang An Heritage Site – a land with a long history and culture, beautiful natural landscapes, and gentle, friendly, elegant, and hospitable people.

Through the results of this series of activities, Ninh Binh will be able to mobilize the active participation of experts, researchers, and scientists to further clarify the arguments and invaluable values of Trang An in the process of building a Millennium Heritage City.

This momentous event also contributes to promoting international exchange and cooperation in preserving heritage values between Ninh Binh and other provinces and cities with heritage sites throughout the country and countries around the world. From there, Ninh Binh will be able to seize opportunities, advantages, and lessons learned, contributing to the successful achievement of the goals set forth in the Resolution of the 22nd Ninh Binh Provincial Party Congress, as well as the goal of building a Millennium Heritage City in the future.

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