Need a multi-dimensional dialogue

The work of preserving, conserving and promoting cultural heritage in Vietnam is facing many challenges. Sometimes, the handling of heritage issues is more one-sided than a multi-dimensional dialogue.

Cham pottery art included in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. (Source: VNA)

Vietnam possesses a diverse and rich cultural heritage, not only bearing historical imprints but also containing extremely rich spiritual values.

Over the years, the Vietnamese Government has issued many policies, laws and regulations related to the conservation of cultural heritage, such as the 2001 Law on Cultural Heritage, the 2019 amended Law on Cultural Heritage, along with decrees and circulars guiding their implementation. A system of museums, research centers and heritage management agencies has been established and operated to carry out the tasks of preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

The government and cultural organizations have carried out many projects to preserve, restore, renovate and embellish relics and organized activities to raise public awareness of heritage values. Many cultural heritages have been recognized and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Traditional festivals are regularly reenacted and bring unique cultural values.

However, in addition to the remarkable efforts, the work of preserving and promoting cultural heritage in Vietnam still has many shortcomings and challenges. Many historical relics are being degraded and damaged due to lack of funds for regular restoration and maintenance. Some relics are encroached upon and illegally built. The work of managing, protecting and promoting the value of heritage still faces many shortcomings and overlapping jurisdictions among functional agencies.

The legal system in Vietnam is rich and diverse, but this also leads to overlaps, contradictions and difficulties in implementation, especially in the cultural field. In fact, many levels of government participate in conservation work, but there is a lack of unity in implementing policies. This leads to passivity and indecision in heritage management activities. For example, some relics are handled inconsistently, leading to omissions or failure to promote their value.

Some experts believe that the promotion of cultural heritage needs to move towards a multi-dimensional dialogue to help ensure that conservation policies and projects are not only based on decisions of management agencies but also reflect the opinions and needs of local communities, in which the need for conservation and preservation is balanced with the need for socio-economic development. In addition to strictly protecting heritage, there needs to be flexible policies and solutions to facilitate the development of economic and cultural activities based on heritage.

However, some opinions say that the promotion of cultural heritage in Vietnam is taking place in a "one-way street", focusing on exploiting and profiting from heritage, without really paying attention to conservation and preservation. Many historical relics and scenic spots are being abused and over-exploited to serve tourism and attract visitors, without a synchronous solution for long-term conservation.

In that context, finding synchronous solutions to balance conservation and development, state management and community participation, is one of the major challenges for the work of preserving, conserving and promoting cultural heritage in Vietnam today.

The exploitation and promotion of cultural heritage must be carried out in a focused and sustainable manner, avoiding abuse and over-exploitation for short-term profit. Only then can Vietnam's cultural heritage be truly preserved, conserved and promoted comprehensively, for the sustainable development of the country.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/phat-huy-di-san-van-hoa-viet-nam-can-mot-doi-thoai-da-chieu-294687.html