Nhan Dan – On the sideline of the on-going 34^th  UNESCO General Assembly in Paris, France, Nhan Dan resident newspaper in France has interviewed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Van Tho who is also president of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee on policies on preservation and promotion of world heritage sites in Vietnam.

- What’s the advantages of Vietnam when having UNESCO recognised heritage sites?

Vietnam’s proud to own five tangible cultural heritage sites including Hue imperial city (1993), Ha Long Bay (1994, 2000), Hoi An ancient town (1999), My Son sanctuary (1999), Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (2003) and two intangible culture heritages: Hue Royal Music (2003) and Central Highlands gongs culture (2005). These titles have contributed to the Vietnam’s construction and development.

Regarding the significance of this title, there are a few things worth mentioning:

Firstly, UNESCO’s recognition of Vietnam’s heritage has reflected the success of the spirit of the Culture Agenda 1943, as well as the Resolution of the 5th meeting of the 8th Central Party Committee on “Building an advanced Vietnam culture with strong national identity”. The Party and State always consider culture a target and a momentum for development.

Secondly, owning world heritage and being responsible toward the world about the heritage will promote national pride, and Vietnam’s image in the world. This is also a basis to improve the people’s general knowledge on the preservation and promotion of the heritage in particular and Vietnam’s culture in general.

Thirdly, world heritage is a global brand, and is a prerequisite to develop the human resource, to attract investment, including foreign investment, especially in tourism. Reality has shown that world heritage contribute a great deal to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Fourthly, world heritage can be a good and convincing tool to introduce Vietnam’s national identity to the world, especially its aged old history and rich culture.

- What should Vietnam do to preserve the recognised heritage and to prepare documents for new heritage to be submitted?

Vice Minister Nguyen Van Tho: The Vietnam National Assembly approved the Law on Culture Heritage in 2001, which is a basis for the protection of culture heritage in Vietnam.

For the UNESCO recognised heritage, according to the organisation’s charter, the owners of these heritage are responsible for protecting and promoting the values of those heritage. Vietnam has been actively implementing programs to protect the cultural heritage. The countries should also report regularly on the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.

At its 31^st meeting in New Zealand (July 2007), the UNESCO World Heritage Board has reviewed the preservation work of the Hue Ancient Capital, Ha Long Bay, etc., and provided expert recommendations to promote sustainable development and the values of these heritage.

Currently, there are seven tangible heritage that Vietnam will present to UNESCO for recognition as world natural heritage. In the future, the Vietnam UNESCO Committee, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and related agencies will present the files of Cat Tien National Part, Ho Dynasty Citadel, etc., to UNESCO for recognition.

Vietnam is currently a member of the inter-governmental committee on the protection of intangible cultural heritage. In 2009, Vietnam will present Ca Tru and Quan Ho folk singing to this committee for recognition.

As owner of the world heritage, we are proud but also responsible to the world about those heritage. I am sure that the Party, State and the people, together with international efforts, will best preserve and promote the country’s heritage, so as to promote the image of an advance Vietnamese culture with strong national identity, so that we can contribute precious cultural identity to the world.

Interviewer: HUY THANG