Community Awareness Key to UNESCO Heritage Preservation

Vietnam Economic News' reporters Gia Anh and Thanh Tam spoke with Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly, the deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, regarding the protection of cultural heritage in Vietnam.
Some said that Vietnam has adopted a "syndrome" of chasing after UNESCO recognition of Vietnamese places of interest as world heritage sites. Is it true?
It's not true. Actually, Vietnam's nominations are intended to increase the likelihood of protection for heritage sites/values at an international level and encourage people to protect them. UNESCO recognition is about listing important heritage sites/values that need protection at different levels. For this reason, it is better for Vietnam to have more heritage sites/values recognized by UNESCO.
Some are also worried that although Vietnam is fast in applying for UNESCO recognition of many heritage values, it is slow in taking measures to protect those that have already been recognized by UNESCO, there is a possibility that the country will lose previous recognition soon after UNESCO names other cultures as world heritage. What do you think about that issue?
We can't do everything at once. Things should be done step by step. Sometimes, it is not good to do things too fast. For example, soon after the Giong Festival was acknowledged by UNESCO, we began thinking of adding the Giong Festival to tourism development strategies. I strongly opposed it. The Giong Festival is for a small community, and it cannot be staged in a large space. It is important to protect heritage in the right way.
What advantages does Vietnam have in protecting heritage?
Vietnam has a complete legal basis for protecting heritage. International conventions that Vietnam has signed up to are a tool for the country to bring the international spirit of heritage protection to Vietnam. Theoretically, Vietnam has good laws and good approach to international practice in protecting heritage.
Why have a series of Vietnamese heritage sites been left in such poor condition following restoration?
The damage to heritage sites is not because we do not have a legal basis, nor because we don't have money, but because we lack understanding and ability among the people who have taken part in the restoration. Heritage restorers and managers forgot the role of people in protecting heritage. Managers should help people understand that UNESCO's recognition is not only an honor but also a responsibility and a benefit for Vietnam. Once people understand it, heritage will be protected even if the amount of investment is small. Vice versa, more money would not work if people are not aware of the need to protect heritage values. The community needs to join hands with scientists and state managers to protect heritage. The biggest problem for heritage protection lies in human resources.
Vietnamese human resources in the field are insufficient and unqualified. How do we solve this problem?
We have no choice but to train human resources and this should begin with teachers who must improve their knowledge and adopt new approaches and skills in heritage protection. Teachers also have to take part in protecting heritage to learn by experience. Moreover, they need to be able to access global standards in regards to protecting heritage. For example, they must have a good command of foreign languages to learn foreign practices in protecting heritage. There is a great range of experience internationally available in protecting heritage, and we have to learn to apply these skills to Vietnam and make them our knowledge.