NDO - The assessment of the economic value of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex (Trang An WHS) is a breakthrough in heritage research, aiming to determine the brand value of this heritage through direct and indirect economic contributions. The project, jointly implemented by the Santagata Foundation for Cultural Economics (Italy) and the Leibniz Institute for Urban Ecology and Regional Development (Germany) with the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-SIS), applied a holistic approach to comprehensively assess the economic, cultural and social impacts of this heritage.
According to the research results, the total economic value (TEV) of Trang An WHS is estimated at 213 billion USD, including 10 core value groups such as entertainment value, karst system, biodiversity, archaeology, special-use forests, temple culture, festivals, folk performing arts and the impact of heritage on residential land value as well as agricultural land in the core and buffer zones. Of which, the land value in the buffer zone alone is estimated at about 20 billion USD.
The report also affirmed that heritage tourism is an important economic driver, contributing to job creation and promoting the development of cultural industries, handicrafts, services, agriculture and tourism.
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Trang An Tourist Area attracts millions of visitors every year. (Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism) |
The study also shows that the "Heritage leading economic development" model is completely suitable for Trang An WHS, helping to balance conservation and development.
The impact of heritage on sustainable settlement and livelihoods
Covering more than 70% of Hoa Lu city, the presence of Trang An heritage has had a huge impact on land values and the livelihoods of local residents. Research has shown that the heritage value is not only limited to tourism, but also contributes to urban development and sustainable settlement planning.
This requires reasonable planning policies to ensure harmony between conservation and urban development, including a series of models for heritage economic development, including: Urban development space of Hoa Lu Millennium Cultural Landscape Heritage; Heritage model leading cultural industry in economic development; Heritage tourism model with sustainable indigenous characteristics; Model of residential land and agricultural and forestry land in symbiosis with livelihood and conservation; World Heritage conservation model with Asian characteristics in the context of sustainable urbanization.
Policy recommendations and development vision
From the economic values assessed, the study makes policy recommendations, heritage conservation as a foundation for the development of Hoa Lu city, a millennium heritage urban area and a creative city. This is consistent with the sustainable development orientation of Ninh Binh province and the whole southern region of the Red River Delta.
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Thuy Dinh is one of the highlights in Trang An tourist area. (Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism) |
Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, assessed that Trang An is one of the world's most typical models of combining economic development and sustainable tourism. Over the past decade, with the strong participation of the government and consensus of the community, Trang An is not only a cultural-natural heritage, but also a model of economic development based on heritage.
At the 10th anniversary celebration of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being recognized by UNESCO, Ms. Simona Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd UNESCO General Conference, affirmed: Thanks to a multi-stakeholder approach and creative cooperation, Trang An has become a model in the dynamic context of sustainable development.
Local communities not only benefit but also play a leading role in developing heritage tourism products, creating harmony between conservation and development.
The study report will be an important scientific basis for policymakers and local authorities to orient sustainable development. The research results will be presented at the International Consultation Workshop in March 2025, where experts will continue to finalize policy recommendations based on international and domestic practices.
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Trang An Street, Hoa Lu City on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Trang An Heritage Site being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage. (Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism) |
Strategic Direction: Heritage Valuation - The Key to Sustainable Development
Mr. Jonathan Baker, Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam, emphasized that heritage economy is the key to both protecting the outstanding universal values of heritage and exploiting the full economic potential for the benefit of the community and future generations. This study will help policy makers, businesses and communities make informed decisions to both develop the economy and preserve heritage.
Dr. Alessio Re, UNESCO advisor on cultural heritage management and economic development, also said that evaluating the value of Trang An is an important study in the current global context, contributing much value to the orientation of sustainable development and enhancing the socio-economic impact of world heritages.
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UNESCO delegation and Xuan Truong enterprise representatives visit Trang An. (Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism) |
Comrade Pham Quang Ngoc, Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, shared that the implementation of the Project to evaluate the economic value of Trang An heritage aims to establish a scientific basis for world heritage sites, at the same time propose the Trang An Declaration and move towards proposing UNESCO to adopt a Charter on Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
Trang An WHS is not only a valuable cultural and natural heritage, but also an economic heritage ecosystem, creating sustainable values for the locality and the country. Research on the economic valuation of this heritage is an important step forward, helping to establish a harmonious development model between conservation and development, and at the same time making Trang An one of the most typical examples in the world of sustainable development based on heritage.
By applying scientific research and practice, Trang An not only preserves the precious values of the past but also continues to develop in a sustainable direction, connecting history with modernity, heritage with economy, to become a living symbol of Vietnam on the world heritage map.
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Indian tourists at Trang An wharf. (Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism) |
Source: https://nhandan.vn/gia-tri-kinh-te-cua-di-san-trang-an-va-nhung-dong-gop-da-chieu-post864364.html
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