Di sản không chỉ là bảo tồn | Góc nhìn văn hóa | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Di sản văn hóa (Cultural Heritage): The core subject, encompassing tangible and intangible heritage.
• Giá trị nội sinh (Intrinsic Value): The inherent worth of cultural heritage as a source of strength for national development.
• Phát triển bền vững (Sustainable Development): Integrating heritage preservation with economic and social progress.
• Lượng hóa giá trị di sản (Quantifying Heritage Value): Assessing the economic and social impact of heritage sites.
• Nghệ nhân (Artisans): Individuals possessing exceptional skills in traditional crafts and performing arts, crucial for preserving intangible heritage.
• Luật Di sản Văn hóa sửa đổi (Revised Law on Cultural Heritage): The updated legal framework for heritage management and protection, passed in November 2024.
• Du lịch văn hóa (Cultural Tourism): A key industry leveraging heritage for economic growth.
• Phân cấp, phân quyền (Decentralization): Transferring management responsibilities to local authorities.

I. Strategic Direction & National Policy

Nghị quyết Đại hội 13 của Đảng (The Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress) identifies văn hóa và con người (culture and people) as fundamental to the nation’s sustainable development. Di sản văn hóa (cultural heritage) is recognized as a valuable spiritual asset requiring both preservation and the activation of its value in modern life. Over the past five years, the Vietnamese heritage sector has undergone significant transformation, shifting from mere preservation to leveraging heritage as a creative resource for socio-economic advancement. This aligns with the spirit of the draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress.

II. Case Study: Tràng An, Ninh Bình – A Model for Sustainable Development

Tràng An, Ninh Bình, a UNESCO World Heritage site, exemplifies this shift. Over 10 years after its UNESCO recognition, it has become a tourism hotspot, with tourism and related services contributing over 43% to the province’s GRDP (Gross Regional Domestic Product) and attracting nearly 5 million visitors annually, supporting over 20,000 livelihoods. Ninh Bình has implemented a comprehensive strategy including sustainable development planning, tourism capacity control, environmental protection, community livelihood enhancement, and a project to quantify the economic value of Tràng An to support local economic development. This quantification is considered a crucial study for guiding sustainable development and maximizing the socio-economic impact of World Heritage sites globally.

III. Modernizing Heritage Engagement: Technology & Experiential Approaches

Traditional methods of heritage presentation are being augmented with modern technologies. Applications include digital guided tours, virtual reality experiences, light shows, specialized tours, and nighttime tours. These approaches aim to “awaken” heritage through emotional engagement, fostering more dynamic interaction and historical exploration for the public. This represents a pivotal shift in heritage management and exploitation.

IV. The Program for Sustainable Heritage Preservation (2021-2030)

The program for sustainable preservation and promotion of Vietnamese cultural heritage (2021-2030) outlines specific objectives: restoration of historical sites, protection of intangible heritage, community support, and integration of heritage with cultural industries and tourism. This aims to gradually transform heritage into a long-term driver of development.

V. The Revised Law on Cultural Heritage (2024) – A Legal Framework for Change

The revised Law on Cultural Heritage, passed by the National Assembly in November 2024, provides a comprehensive and synchronized legal framework for heritage management, protection, and promotion. This law is a significant achievement for those involved in heritage work. Key provisions include:

• Decentralization: Increased delegation of authority to provincial People’s Committees, with the provincial Chairman taking direct responsibility for heritage management and protection within their jurisdiction. This empowers local authorities to attract investment and effectively manage heritage resources, particularly in the digital age.
• Construction Management: Strict protection of core zones, prohibiting new construction except in exceptional circumstances for conservation purposes. Buffer zones allow construction, but must adhere to planning regulations, preserving the original character and landscape of the heritage site. This balances preservation with development.
• Artisan Support: Formal recognition of the state’s responsibility to honor, protect, and support artisans and bearers of intangible cultural heritage. This establishes a legal basis for subsidies, insurance, and transmission of heritage skills. As stated, “Linh hồn của di sản đó chính là các nghệ nhân” (“The soul of heritage is the artisans”).

VI. Supporting Artisans: A National Policy Shift

Previously, support for artisans was largely localized (e.g., Phú Thọ’s subsidies for xoan singers, Bắc Ninh’s support for quan họ singers). The revised law nationalizes this support. Nghị định 215 (Decree 215), issued in September 2024, established a unified national mechanism for artisan support, providing financial stability and encouraging continued creativity and transmission of traditional arts. This is a “bước ngoặt” (turning point).

Specific benefits under Decree 215 include:

• Monthly living allowances for People’s and Meritorious Artisans in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
• Full state-funded health insurance.
• Financial assistance for funeral expenses.

The policy prioritizes artisans from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, poor households, and those living in remote areas, recognizing their crucial role in preserving valuable heritage. Funding is also allocated for artisan-led training programs and cultural promotion activities. As one artisan stated, “Hỗ trợ được tiền thì là rất là phân khởi để có nguồn để là sinh hoạt” (“Financial support is very encouraging to have a source for living”).

VII. Data & Impact (2024)

In 2024 alone, visits to heritage sites accounted for over 14 million tourists, generating 7.749 trillion đồng in revenue. Over the past five years, cultural heritage has been clearly positioned within the national development strategy, serving as both a source of identity and a driver of economic growth. Cultural tourism has emerged as a key pillar of the cultural industry. Nearly 3000 artisans nationwide are expected to benefit from the new policies.

VIII. Vietnam as a Model for Heritage Preservation

Vietnam is presented as a successful model for heritage preservation that simultaneously supports community well-being. The nation recognizes that heritage is sustained by the communities who care for it, stating, “Không có người dân sẽ không có di sản” (“Without the people, there is no heritage”). This approach is being promoted as a best practice for international heritage conservation.

Conclusion

The transcript highlights a significant paradigm shift in Vietnam’s approach to cultural heritage. Moving beyond simple preservation, the nation is actively integrating heritage into its economic and social development strategies, supported by a strengthened legal framework and a commitment to supporting the artisans who are the custodians of this invaluable cultural wealth. This reflects the spirit of the 13th Party Congress and sets the stage for continued progress in the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese cultural heritage for future generations. Di sản không chỉ là quá khứ để nhớ, di sản còn là hiện tại và tương lai để phát triển” (“Heritage is not just the past to remember, heritage is also the present and future for development”).