We must change our thinking so that cultural heritage becomes a driving force for economic development.

The scientific conference was attended by many leading experts and scientists. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The scientific workshop was attended by Mr. Truong Dinh Tuyen - Former Minister of Trade, Head of the Provincial Advisory Team; Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Dinh Thien - Former Director of the Vietnam Economic Institute; Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Bai - Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council; leaders of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leading domestic scientists.

On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrades: Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Nguyen Nam Dinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Provincial Agencies Bloc; Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of departments, branches, sectors and localities in the province.

Turning heritage into a driving force for economic development

Hang Bua Festival (Quy Chau). Photo: Canh Hung

Nghe An has always been known as a land of outstanding people, a locality with a dense cultural heritage, spread from the plains to the mountains. Heritages in Nghe An include many types such as cultural - historical heritage, museums, rural - agricultural, urban, architectural - artistic, industrial, natural landscape and intangible cultural heritage.

The number of large and small heritages proposed by localities and experts in Nghe An is up to 2,327 heritages, in the future this number will not stop... And according to the inventory results, by 2017, in Nghe An province there were 2,602 relics - scenic spots with 439 ranked relics, with 4 special national relics, 142 national relics, 239 provincial relics.

Peaceful Vinh Citadel. Photo archive

In addition, Nghe An has 29 traditional and new festivals each year associated with spiritual rituals and cultural activities at relics. Nghe An is also the largest province in the country, possessing many natural resources, famous landscapes and landscapes with potential for tourism development.

Clearly identifying cultural heritage as an important and decisive factor in creating the unique appearance and identity of the Nghe An cultural region; playing an important role in socio-economic development, over the past time, Nghe An has continuously strived to implement the strategy set out in Resolution 26/NQ-TW of the Politburo.

Tea island destination - Cau Cau dam (Thanh Chuong district). Photo: Thanh Cuong

That is: "Complete the planning of the historical - cultural relic system in the province; speed up the progress of the Project to Preserve and embellish the Kim Lien Historical - Cultural Relic Site, the Memorial Site of the late General Secretary Le Hong Phong and a number of other typical historical - cultural relics associated with tourism development. Exploit and promote traditional cultural values".

Nghe An province has directed the culture and sports sector to develop and approve the project "Planning the system of relics in Nghe An province towards 2030 with a vision to 2050", and is developing a project on solutions for economic development of heritage in Nghe An province.

Comrade Dinh Viet Hong delivered a welcome speech at the conference. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Speaking at the workshop, comrade Dinh Viet Hong stated: The scientific workshop aims to contribute to identifying and correctly assessing the value, strengths and weaknesses of the heritage system of Nghe An province; providing directions and feasible solutions for preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage, developing the heritage economy, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

He hopes: With a high sense of responsibility, scientists have many ideas, initiatives, experiences and solutions to help Nghe An province complete and implement the Project "Research on solutions for developing the heritage economy of Nghe An province", bring the project into life, gradually eliminate the investment burden of the State budget for heritage conservation, and gradually develop a green and sustainable economy.

Must renew thinking and perception

Panorama of Kim Lien Relic Site. Photo courtesy

This scientific conference received 37 presentations from leading scientists in the country. At the conference, scientists clarified the concept of “heritage economy”. At the same time, they pointed out the paradox that is happening in many localities in the country, including Nghe An such as: Poverty is always associated with lands rich in tradition. The chorus of heritage crying for help and asking for money has lasted for decades.

Comrade Truong Dinh Tuyen pointed out the need for innovation in thinking in cultural heritage management. Photo by Thanh Cuong

Scientists have clearly stated solutions to turn heritage into a new growth engine. Many valuable presentations were presented at the workshop with suggestions for Nghe An. For example, comrade Truong Dinh Tuyen clearly stated the need to innovate the thinking and responsibility of leaders, heritage managers, and the cultural industry. The Kim Lien Historical - Cultural Relic Site needs to build a hall to show films about President Ho Chi Minh.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dinh Thien suggests recreating lost cultural values ​​and creating new values. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Or Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dinh Thien proposed an approach to resolve the conflict between heritage culture and economy; gave suggestions for creating lost cultural heritage values ​​and turning what does not exist into something. With the Kim Lien National Special Historical Relic Site, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Dinh Thien said that Kim Lien must have different and more special values ​​compared to other Vietnamese villages; it needs to be stylized and artistically transformed to achieve higher artistic value and sacredness... Only then can Nghe An's heritage economy go deeper and faster.

Dr. Ha Huu Nga (Institute for Applied Research in Culture and Tourism) proposed developing the heritage economy on the basis of the common value system, the most unique value, and the priceless humanity of the cultural heritage of Nghe An, of the Lam River cultural region. Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly - Director of the Center for Research and Promotion of Vietnam Heritage Values, proposed ways for Nghe An to have added value from intangible cultural heritages.

At Kim Lien Relic Site (Nam Dan), special performances of Nghe Tinh Vi and Giam folk songs are often held to serve tourists. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Master Pham Xuan Can pointed out the value of urban heritage in Vinh city such as cultural and religious works, Vinh market, Nghe An ancient citadel, French architectural works, Chinese subculture in the Cua Tien - Vinh market area, Vinh station, French-Vietnamese Primary School and Vinh National School, Thi - Ben Thuy School, Quang Trung apartment complex... and made recommendations on orientations and solutions to preserve and develop these heritages.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Bai closed the scientific conference. Photo: Thanh Cuong