Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Ninh Binh).
Unique mixed heritage
The Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex covers an area of 12,252 hectares, including 3 conservation areas: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Historical and Cultural Relic Site, Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong Scenic Landscape Complex and Hoa Lu Special-Use Primitive Forest, of which the buffer zone covers an area of 6,026 hectares. In 2014, the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was the first and only mixed heritage in Southeast Asia to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage because it met criterion V on culture and two criteria VII and VIII on nature, which are aesthetic beauty and geomorphology.
Located in the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, Trang An Ecotourism Area is known for its unique karst limestone mountain system and extremely rich ecosystem of forests, caves and swamps. With a history of hundreds of millions of years, through the geological transformation of the earth, climate as well as the advance and retreat of the sea, Trang An owns 31 lakes and lagoons connected by 48 caves. This cave system has made Trang An Ecotourism Area unique with boat explorations on a route that they do not have to turn back like other places. Trang An also has a diverse aquatic ecosystem with many rare species of underwater flora and fauna, including thousands of types of algae and mosses that are evaluated by scientists as "primitive forests" under water. The harmony between natural landscapes and biodiversity has created a rare majestic beauty for Trang An.
Along with the history of nature, Trang An is also known as the "cradle" of evolution of ancient Trang An people. Archaeological excavations suggest that prehistoric communities settled in caves and rock shelters in the core area of Trang An tens of thousands of years ago. They were the first people to approach and exploit the sea in Vietnam, creating a complex of limestone tools, maintaining the industry of chiseling, making pottery and cultivating in swampy valleys... That is the unique feature that makes this heritage's outstanding global cultural value. In addition, Trang An is also associated with relics such as: Hoa Lu ancient capital, Bai Dinh pagoda, Tran temple, Khong palace, Vu Lam palace, Cao Son temple... to create attractive sightseeing itineraries for tourists. Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, a tourist in Dong Da district (Hanoi) shared: "Although I have been to many places, Trang An scenic complex left me with unexpected and interesting impressions because of the harmony between nature, people and the system of relics here."
Sustainable tourism development associated with heritage conservation
Over the years, Ninh Binh province has always identified tourism as a key economic sector of the locality, in which Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage is the main highlight. Mr. Bui Van Manh, Deputy Director of Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, said that in 2019, the province welcomed 7.6 million visitors, of which international visitors were about 910,000, with revenue reaching about 3,600 billion VND. Deeply aware of the value and potential for tourism development of existing heritages, the province has issued many resolutions and action programs to turn Ninh Binh into a major tourist center of the country. Along with that is the orientation of sustainable tourism development, focusing on developing ecological and cultural tourism to create unique products, attracting domestic and foreign tourists.
With the orientation of sustainable tourism development, Ninh Binh always cares about the connection of the people, especially propaganda, raising awareness about preserving the landscape, creating livelihoods for people in the core area of the heritage because they are the best environmental protectors. Ms. Tran Thi Hoa (Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district), a boatman at Trang An wharf shared: “Every year, we participate in training courses of the district and province on community tourism and environmental protection. We understand that if everyone is aware of preserving and protecting the environment, it will contribute to creating beautiful landscapes, thereby attracting more tourists. Therefore, we always remind tourists to follow the regulations on security and safety on waterways, and not to litter. Every day, we take turns collecting trash and cleaning to protect the environment. That is also the way for us to have stable, long-term jobs”.
In addition to promoting the role of the community in preserving and promoting the value of heritage, Ninh Binh also focuses on improving the quality of destinations associated with diversifying tourism products. The province has cooperated with Hanoi city, Quang Ninh province, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An province... to exploit and develop types of ecological, cultural and spiritual tourism, typically the construction of the "Heritage Road Journey" connecting destinations: Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex - Hoa Lu Ancient Capital - Am Tien Cave - Bai Dinh Mountain Pagoda Spiritual Area - Van Long Wetland Reserve (Ninh Binh) - Tam Chuc National Tourist Area (Ha Nam) - Huong Pagoda and Thang Long Imperial Citadel Heritage Area (Hanoi). With a length of nearly 100km, the "Heritage Road Journey" will be a tourism chain connecting heritage sites effectively, bringing many attractive experiences to visitors.
In the coming time, Ninh Binh will continue to promote its friendly, safe and hospitable image to domestic and international tourists. Ninh Binh also hopes that with its efforts in preserving and promoting heritage values associated with sustainable tourism development, the province will soon affirm its position as one of the largest centers of eco-tourism, culture and spirituality in the North and a “green dot” on the world tourism map in the coming years.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/di-san-van-hoa-va-thien-nhien-the-gioi-trang-an-ninh-binh-dau-cham-xanh-tren-ban-do-du-lich-519536.html
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