25 years of Hoi An World Cultural Heritage: preservation journey
Since 2008, the ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam has embarked on a journey of restoration, breathing new life into over 400 relic sites. This project is backed by more than 150 billion VND (6 million USD) from both the state budget and community contributions.
A corner of the ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam. (Photo: VNA)
Quang Nam (VNA) ✤– Since 2008, the ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam has embarked on a journey of restoration, breathing new life into over 400 relic sites. This project is backed by more than 150 billion VND (6 million USD) from both the state budget and community contributions.
A World Heritage Treasure
Established in the 16th century, Hoi An was once a bustling international trading port, attracting merchants from China, Japan, the Netherlands, India and Spain. This vibrant hub has left an indelible mark on the town's architecture and culture, creating a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.
Hoi An city boasts an impressive array of heritage sites, including 27 national heritage sites, 49 provincial relic sites, and over 1,330 others listed for protection. The ancient town itself is home to 1,130 sites, with nine classified as national heritage and eight as provincial heritage.
Domestic and foreign tourists visit Hoi An . (Photo: VNA)
Traditional customs, beliefs and folk arts, such as Bai Choi singing and Ho Khoan chanting along the Hoai river, thrive, enriching the cultural landscape of Hoi An.
Visitors wandering through the narrow streets can easily encounter street vendors selling local specialties like Cao Lau, Mi Quang (Quang style noodle), and chicken rice, each dish infused with the essence of Quang Nam's countryside. Craft shops proudly display products from traditional villages such as Kim Bong woodwork, Tra Que vegetables, and Thanh Ha pottery, evoking memories of Hoi An's vibrant past as a trading port.
As night falls, Hoi An transforms into a magical realm illuminated by thousands of colourful lanterns. On the 14th day of each lunar month, the Lantern Festival turns the town into a dazzling spectacle of light and colour, drawing visitors from around the world.
With its distinct values, Hoi An Ancient Town was designated as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture in 1985. In 2009, it was recognised as a special national relic by the Prime Minister and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
25 years of heritage preservation and promotion
The emergency restoration project for at-risk relic sites has successfully saved hundreds of ancient houses, ensuring that Hoi An's identity is preserved for generations to come.
The Hoi An ancient town at night (Photo: VNA)
Traditional customs and folk arts continue to flourish, breathing vitality into the heritage. Kim Bong woodworking, Thanh Ha pottery and Tra Que vegetable villages have not only been revitalised but also become cultural tourism destinations, providing livelihoods for local residents.
Initiatives like "Old Town Night," "Walking Streets" and vibrant night markets have become magnets for tourists while promoting local culture.
Hoi An is also embracing sustainability by introducing electric vehicles in the ancient town, reducing plastic waste, and encouraging tourists to engage in environmental protection activities.
The Vietnamese Government, along with international organisations, has launched support projects, such as establishing conservation funds, holding scientific workshops, and awareness-raising training courses. However, Hoi An still faces challenges related to population pressure, increasing density and diversity of residents, and a rapidly growing number of tourists, particularly in the ancient town. The adverse effects of urbanisation and service-tourism development also pose serious risks to the town's unique identity.
In response, the provincial People's Committee submitted a proposal to the Government in March for the preservation and promotion of the values of Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage Site until 2030, with a vision toward 2035. The goal is to develop Hoi An into an ecological-cultural-tourism city that preserves its identity while effectively harnessing its economic potential.
By integrating digital technology into tourism management and experiences, Hoi An aims to become a leading regional cultural-ecotourism destination. The city is committed to fostering international cooperation in heritage research and conservation, expanding opportunities to share its rich history and culture with the world./.
The central province of Quang Nam launched the tourism stimulation programme 2024 themed “Quang Nam – Green Heritage Region” at a press conference on April 16.
Stepping into the ancient city of Hoi An in the south-central province of Quang Nam, visitors can deeply feel a diverse and artistic blend of typical architectural works from the Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and French cultures.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
The cultural event in Canberra not only fostered cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Australia but also contributed to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally
