International Workshop Session 2 Building criteria and orientation to promote the value of traditional houses in the world heritage Trang An Scenic Complex

On November 3, the International Scientific Conference "Identifying, preserving and promoting the value of traditional houses in the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex" continued its second discussion session with the topic "Building criteria and orientations for promoting the value of traditional houses in the World Heritage of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex".

Participating in the discussion at the forum, scientists and managers focused on identifying specific criteria for identifying and evaluating traditional houses for the core area of Trang An heritage. In addition to the method of assessing and identifying conservation potential, specifically determining assessment criteria, the principles of ensuring both conservation and development in specific areas such as the core area of Trang An heritage are very important. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly develop a set of principles for sustainable (re)development of traditional village landscape architecture in the World Heritage area of Trang An scenic complex.

From an architectural perspective, scientists also raised the issue of implementing the Law on Architecture, managing architectural works with outstanding and unique values in heritage areas, and restoring traditional houses in heritage areas associated with the construction of unique tourism products... In order to soon carry out the work of preserving and promoting the values of traditional houses in heritage areas, the speakers also discussed and suggested that Ninh Binh create a set of evaluation criteria and standards for determining traditional houses in heritage areas; design house models with traditional architectural images that can be replicated for homestay models suitable for the landscape and space in heritage areas and in line with the orientation of the Ancient Capital - Heritage Urban Area.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Bai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Cultural Heritage Council, delivered a speech summarizing and recommending a number of contents at the International Workshop "Identifying, preserving and promoting the value of traditional houses in the World Cultural and Natural Heritage area of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex".

After listening to the comments of experts from the Research Institute of the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, from the agencies directly managing the Trang An heritage site, especially listening to the experience sharing from international experts from France, Japan, Korea, India, the Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Cultural Heritage Council affirmed: This is truly an international conference not only because it has connected interdisciplinary scientific knowledge at home and abroad, but also because the form of organizing the online conference has very flexible interactions contributing to the success of the conference.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Van Bai pointed out that the contents of the discussion at the Workshop focused on highlighting the following contents: Identifying the value of traditional houses, more broadly the role of village structures in the core heritage area of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, based on the assessment of the current status of management and conservation of traditional houses, opinions affirmed the role of connecting rural architectural funds to create unique values for Trang An World Heritage.

Scientists have proposed a framework of criteria as a basis for preserving and promoting the value of traditional houses in the World Heritage Site of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Not only the core area of the heritage but also the buffer zone and more broadly throughout Ninh Binh province need to soon implement projects, systematize research, evaluate values, and establish data records of traditional houses and traditional villages. Integrate the preservation of ancient houses and ancient villages into the management of relics and planning for the conservation of heritage areas. Therefore, it is necessary to develop regulations on rural architecture management/landscape architecture management for specific areas in conservation planning projects.

Build quality and differentiated tourism products from the values of traditional villages. Create messages, brands and campaigns that differentiate the ancient village area from other destinations in the region. Rural tourism is also a green and sustainable tourism direction.

Affirming that the historical, cultural and architectural values of traditional housing projects become valuable resources for developing community tourism, these values will contribute to creating a difference for Trang An land to become a heritage village and ancient capital in the heart of the city, Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Bai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Cultural Heritage Council, proposed and recommended to the leaders of Ninh Binh province that in the coming time, it is necessary to focus on the following issues:

Restore and improve the quality of life for local residents currently living in ancient houses, while creating a premise to promote actual revenue from tourism development; Create conditions for individuals and households to participate in tourism development, create livelihoods for people associated with sustainable heritage protection, especially in the core heritage area; There needs to be a mechanism in managing and preserving the existing village structure, preserving and embellishing valuable architectural works and economic infrastructure of the village, restoring traditional folk public works; Propose research on house models simulating traditional forms, propagate to people to replicate the homestay model, in harmony with the village space; Create mechanisms and benefits in public-private cooperation; raise public awareness in the conservation of ancient houses in particular and promote community consultation in heritage conservation.

From a scientific perspective, the International Workshop on "Identifying, preserving and promoting the value of traditional houses in the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex" demonstrated the responsibility of Ninh Binh province in particular and Vietnam in general for the Heritage, implementing and complying with UNESCO's recommendations, which are: Determining the management vision of the heritage site towards harmonious and sustainable development, balancing economic growth, preserving heritage values, protecting the environment, developing sustainable tourism and supporting services; Continuing to develop and implement a research program on the characteristics and values of the heritage, potential impacts on the values. In addition, the theme of the Workshop mentioned the issue of House - Village - Country, which has been the core of Vietnamese culture. Originating from the "house tradition", from the traditional village as a premise for the goal of sustainable development with contemporary character while still preserving the identity of the ancient capital.