Preserving history is key in capital

      The Viet Nam Association for Historical Science chairman Phan Huy Le spoke with Ha Noi Moi (New Ha Noi) newspaper about the significance of protecting the capital’s historical landscape.
What experiences in preserving historical urban centres did Vietnamese researchers of culture, history and urban planning learn from the 12th international UNESCO forum in Ha Noi last week?
This was the first forum of its kind held in Viet Nam. It was especially meaningful to Viet Nam which is looking for the best measures to conserve its historical and cultural heritage. The forum was about the natural, architectural and religious landscape of historical cities, which was relevant to us. Scientists raised issues such as effective conservation of images and functions of historical remains and cultural heritage. It concluded that the preservation and development of heritage needed to be harmonious. If we didn’t have an awareness of how to harmonise conservation and development of historical remains, we could lose historical and cultural values. The forum showed us other countries’ experiences — not only successes but also failures — in resolving urban issues. So Viet Nam had access to the most up-to-date information in urban planning and development.
Of the resolutions presented in the forum, what was the most relevant to Viet Nam?
I am a historian and so I would like to stress the importance of historical factors. Cultural values have been selected and developed throughout history. What I have learned from other countries’ experiences is that we have to understand thoroughly the relationship between the city’s history and community and the natural and environmental landscape before planning to conserve and uphold them.
In your opinion, what are the difficulties found in researching Ha Noi’s historical urban landscape?
This is a concern not only for Ha Noi but also the country. There are risks involved in preservation and promotion of historical and cultural remains. Therefore, the earlier we are aware of the risks, the less difficulties we will find in urban planning and development. Besides the experiences of other countries, we have to learn about successes and failures from our previous generations. At present, Ha Noi faces some contradictions in what remains and how we should preserve them as we don’t yet have adequate awareness of the importance of history to the urban landscape.
There were contradictions in opinions from different sectors, for instant the history sector and architectural planning sector, is it true?
One of the reasons for the loss of historical and cultural heritage was inappropriate urban planning. We need to be more careful in planning and building, especially since Ha Noi has already expanded. We need to have long-term vision, sufficient information about the remains and the heritage as well as co-operation between the sectors of history, culture, planning and architecture in order to efficiently conserve and promote our historical urban landscape. Regarding remains found through archaeological excavation, conflicts can easily arise between historians and urban planners. We’d better put long-term common social benefits ahead of immediate benefits and individual interests.
Preserving location names to help residents better understand the historical significance of their dwellings was mentioned. How has this been resolved in Ha Noi?
We have seriously considered this issue. Location names in Ha Noi, such as names of streets and roads, have been kept, however the relevance has not filtered down to population. Each of the street names has their own historical meaning, but it seems they have not been widely and profoundly popularised. I hope this will be improved soon.