Worthy of being the heart of the Millennium Heritage City

Heritage has been proving to be a central role in promoting socio-economic development towards green growth goals, worthy of being the core, the "heart" of the Millennium Heritage City in the future. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage, Ninh Binh Newspaper reporter had an interview with Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Department of Tourism to look back on the efforts over the past decade as well as the next directions in promoting the sustainable and effective value of heritage. The following is the content of the interview:

Reporter (PV): Sir, after 10 years of being recognized as a World Heritage Site, what results have been achieved in the work of preserving and promoting the values of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex?

Comrade Bui Van Manh: After 10 years of being listed, Ninh Binh has achieved many outstanding results in the work of preserving and promoting heritage values. In particular, the effectiveness and efficiency of State management of heritage has been improved. Ninh Binh has promptly issued resolutions, plans and regulations to manage, preserve and promote heritage values.

In addition, Ninh Binh also effectively implements the conservation recommendations of the World Heritage Committee, such as supporting research and publishing scientific research works. Thereby contributing to supplementing and consolidating information about heritage, enriching cultural and natural values in the face of climate change adaptation.

The adjustment of boundaries, assessment of tourist capacity as well as other recommendations of the World Heritage Committee on management, conservation and promotion of heritage values are also strictly implemented. Along with that, the work of promoting the values of Trang An Heritage associated with tourism development is of interest and implemented effectively.

In particular, the work of environmental and landscape management of heritage areas is carried out regularly and continuously, such as propaganda, mobilization, reminders, and urging organizations, businesses and communities to comply with regulations on landscape and environmental protection of heritage areas; organizing patrols, promptly detecting violations of regulations on construction order, accommodation business, etc.

Over the past 10 years, the industry has coordinated with domestic and international experts and organizations to successfully implement many projects and research on heritage conservation, such as the successful release of the white-rumped langur in Trang An, the project to promote heritage management and sustainable tourism development at Trang An Cultural and World Heritage Site, the project to manage world heritage sites after COVID-19, etc.

The above results have been recognized and highly appreciated by all levels, sectors, organizations as well as the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Center. During the visit and working session at Trang An Heritage in 2022, the Director General of UNESCO commented: "Trang An is one of the most exemplary and typical models in the world in successfully combining economic development and sustainable tourism". This is the motivation for Ninh Binh to continue to better implement the recommendations to preserve and promote the value of Trang An Heritage in the next stage.

Worthy of being the heart of the Millennium Heritage City — The road to Tam Coc. Photo: Truong Huy

PV: Up to this point, how far have preparations for the anniversary activities been implemented, comrade?

Mr. Bui Van Manh: In the past time, under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Tourism has actively and proactively coordinated with agencies and units in the province to establish an Organizing Committee for activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Agencies and units have developed plans, assigned tasks and implemented them on schedule. The Department has coordinated with domestic and foreign press agencies to promote the purpose and significance of the event as well as the beauty and potential of the land and people of the Ancient Capital.

Thereby creating a widespread effect among all classes of people, bringing the image of Ninh Binh increasingly prominent on the domestic and international tourism map. The Department has coordinated and surveyed tourism service establishments, areas where activities are organized, main routes, and roads to tourist areas and spots to develop plans and estimates for bidding according to regulations.

For the Celebration program, scheduled to take place on April 26, the Tourism industry and event organizers will develop a script for the art program and a plan to organize welcoming activities.

Reporter: Ninh Binh is striving to achieve the goal of building a Millennium Heritage City, in which Trang An Heritage is considered a resource, the "heart" to realize this goal. According to you, what is the significance of the upcoming celebration activities for the province's efforts?

Mr. Bui Van Manh: Not only focusing on priceless cultural values, Trang An Heritage also fully converges the landscape of a Millennium Heritage City such as the ancient citadel space with the characteristics of natural, historical and continuous walls; heritage infrastructure; socio-economic development speed; added value, spread of heritage...

However, the priceless values of Trang An Heritage still contain many mysteries that experts and scientists continue to research and decode in order to convey and explain to the people and tourists to understand better in the future.

The series of activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge and praise the great contributions of all levels, sectors, individuals, organizations, experts, researchers at home and abroad as well as the entire people. At the same time, through that, introduce, honor and enhance the value of Trang An Heritage as a land with a long-standing historical and cultural tradition, beautiful natural landscapes, and gentle, friendly, elegant and hospitable people.

Through the results of the series of activities, Ninh Binh will mobilize the active participation of experts, researchers, and scientists to clarify the arguments and invaluable values of Trang An in the process of building a Millennium Heritage City.

This important event also contributes to promoting international exchange and cooperation in promoting heritage values between Ninh Binh and other provinces and cities with heritages in the country and other countries in the world. From there, Ninh Binh will take advantage of opportunities, advantages as well as lessons learned, contributing to the successful implementation of the goals set out in the Resolution of the 22nd Ninh Binh Provincial Party Congress as well as the goal of building a Millennium Heritage City in the future.

PV: Thank you, comrade!

Minh Hai (performed)

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