Quang Nam (VNA) – The role of local communitiesin the preservation and promotion of the values of the world’s culturalheritage, such as Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary, was highlighted atan international workshop on September 8.

At the event in Hoi An city of the centralprovince of Quang Nam, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee LeVan Thanh said cultural heritage often faces risks of damage by natural andhuman impact. Notably, adverse impact of economic development, urbanisation andunsustainable tourism development has been degrading the environment and space hometo heritage sites.

Therefore, the preservation and promotion ofcultural heritage values have attracted the voluntary participation ofcommunities in Vietnam, he said, adding that despite certain socio-economicdifficulties, people in Quang Nam have attached importance to the work in HoiAn Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary, which earned UNESCO’s recognition 20years ago.

Thanh noted authorities in Quang Nam have issuespolicies to facilitate the study, preservation and promotion of heritagevalues, while encouraging the engagement of socio-economic organisations andpeople to the efforts.

[Photos: Hoi An - ꦡcharmi♎ng ancient city in central Vietnam]

Aside from UNESCO’s support, the preservationand promotion of heritage values in the province have also been assisted bygovernmental and non-governmental organisations from many countries, includingIndia, Poland, Sweden, Japan, Germany, France and the US, which has greatlyhelped improve public awareness of the work, he said.

Pham Ho, Director of the My Son Sanctuary’smanagement board, said as local people play an important role in heritage valuepreservation and promotion, the board has moved to raise their awareness byboosting heritage education at schools, disseminating relevant legalregulations to locals, providing residents with livelihood assistance, andsupporting poverty reduction and social welfare programmes.

For his part, Michael Croft, UNESCO head ofoffice in Vietnam, said local community is an important part of the tourismproduct at a world heritage site, especially a cultural one, since their dailylife reflects the authenticity of that destination. Additionally, when a worldheritage is opened, local residents are also affected by tourism development.

Therefore, local communities hold a veryimportant role, he added.-VNA