Hoi An ancient town in the central coastal province of Quang Nam was recognized as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site on December 4, 1999. Over the past 25 years, the local government and residents of Hoi An not only have preserved this living museum of architecture and urban lifestyle, but also effectively leveraged these values for sustainable preservation and development of the heritage.
Once a bustling international trading port 400 years ago, Hoi An today boasts 27 national relics, 49 provincial-level ones, and over 1,330 sites under the city’s protection. They form a unique architectural landscape that blends Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Western styles.
Since 2008, more than 400 relics in Hoi An’s ancient town have been restored at a cost of over VND 150 billion, funded by both the state budget and community contributions. Notably, the iconic Cau Pagoda, a symbol of Hoi An, has undergone meticulous restoration.
The UNESCO World Heritage designation has also enabled Hoi An to preserve unique cultural spaces. These range from centuries-old craft villages like Thanh Ha pottery, Kim Bong carpentry, and Tra Que vegetable village to distinctive customs, beliefs, and folk arts such as the Nguyen Tieu festival, Bai Choi singing, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. These cultural treasures have been transformed into attractive tourism products.
Hoi An is also regarded as a model for heritage conservation and development, thanks to the consensus and active participation of the community. Innovative initiatives such as the car-free zone, plastic waste reduction, and eco-tourism tours involving environmental protection have been implemented. Joining UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the field of crafts and folk arts has further strengthened Hoi An’s commitment to sustainable development.
Under the plan for Hoi An ancient town conservation, restoration and promotion to 2030, with a vision to 2035, 100% of deteriorated heritage sites will be restored. Besides, all tangible and intangible cultural heritages will be scientifically documented, and the heritage protection zone will be expanded to ensure the integrity and outstanding universal value of this ancient town, establishing Hoi An as a leading cultural and eco-tourism hub in the region.- (VNA/VLLF)
