50th anniversary of the Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage celebrated in Ninh Bình

ICONIC: The magnificent natural scenery of Tràng An, Ninh Bình has been recognised by UNESCO as a natural heritage and a world cultural heritage. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

NINH BÌNH — A ceremony was held in the northern province of Ninh Bình to honour the 50th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on Tuesday. 

This event is part of a series of global celebrations commemorating the 1972 Convention and the 35th anniversary of its implementation in Việt Nam.

Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, joined the celebration and expressed her delight at the prospect of UNESCO's cultural conventions reaching their full potential in Việt Nam.

She noted that eight monuments in Việt Nam are recognised as World Heritage sites just 35 years after this convention was implemented in 1987.

She stated that since the complex of Huế Monuments was initially registered in 1993, heritage monuments at Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, Hội An Ancient Town, Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, Citadel of the Hồ Dynasty, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng National Park and Hạ Long Bay have been recognised. Each of Việt Nam's heritage sites enriches the country's lengthy past.

Azoulay also believes that these heritages reflect the "richness and diversity" of Vietnamese culture, noting the inclusion of xòe art on the list of intangible heritage last year and the registration of then practice last Saturday as examples.

"This is another demonstration that both UNESCO and Việt Nam appreciate the need of promoting the value of heritage," she said. 

Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Nguyễn Văn Hùng, praised the convention's implementation in Việt Nam.

He said that Việt Nam has made significant strides in the field of conserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage and World Heritage, which is reflected in the country's legislative framework relating to cultural heritage.

Minister Hùng said that the fact that the Law on Cultural Heritage and the Government's Decrees regulating the protection and management of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Việt Nam have been developed in a manner that is close to the spirit of the 1972 Convention is not only the basis for perception and opinion, but also creates an important legal hallway for the management, protection, and promotion of World Heritage values in Việt Nam.

With that spirit, between 2021 to 2025, cooperation between Việt Nam and UNESCO will continue to be strengthened through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to improve management capacity and strengthen the network of World Heritage Sites, in order to contribute to national and local development strategies, according to Hùng. 

Hà Kim Ngọc, chairman of the Việt Nam National Commission for UNESCO, stated that in the 35 years since the country's participation in the 1972 Convention, the Việt Nam National Committee for UNESCO has become the fastest connection channel, bringing the highest efficiency in promoting activities to improve capacity and expertise in heritage conservation and promote international cooperation and heritage education.

According to Ngọc, a "people-centred" approach ensures that heritage sites are constantly accompanied by conservation, promotion, and value promotion efforts, for the benefit of people, notably indigenous populations.

Ngọc also said that with the aim of contributing more to the protection and promotion of global heritages, Việt Nam is running for membership of the World Heritage Committee for the term 2023-2027.

He expressed his wish to have the support of the member nations of the Convention, to provide better conditions for fulfilling the country's aims. VNS