Vietnam's
historical and geographic sites have greatly benefited from the UNESCO
program. Currently four sites in the country have been deemed cultural
or geographic treasures: Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay, and My Son.
These diverse sites all play an important role in Vietnam's history, and today are under threat from neglect, tourist development and environmental factors. UNESCO provides advice on how to combat these negative influences to preserve them for all time.
Established in 1945, the United Nations UNESCO program aims to develop better relations between countries through non-diplomatic channels like sciences and art. The acronym stands for the 'United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization' and uses information exchange and expertise to preserve the world cultural heritage and to foster better understanding in the foreign scientific archeological and other diverse communities.
HUE
The ancient capital city of the Nguyen kings, Hue, joined the UNESCO Heritage list in 1993. The recognition has paved the way for preservation assistance desperately needed since the extensive destruction during the Tet Offensive in 1968, which destroyed 80% of the city's palaces and historic sights.
The city has been given extensive financial and expert advice to rebuild and strengthen these historic sights not only as a way for Vietnamese to enjoy their cultural heritage but for foreign tourists as well. The Vietnamese government has invested $60 million US dollars for this effort. Visitors today can see the results of these preservations particularly in the Forbidden Purple City, the Citadel and several tombs lining the Perfume River.
HOI AN
Hoi An, three hours drive south of Hue, was admitted to the UNESCO program in 1999 because it was a well preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port, and because it represented a unique fusion of cultures in its architecture and history. Since then the town has received expert assistance in the protection of houses, artifacts and other treasures related to the towns history.
In recognition of its preservation efforts, the Hoi An People Committee were awarded the UNESCO prize for excellent conservation. This effort was in recognition of the effort, a combination between Japan, Vietnam and other nations, to ensure the protection of this quiet, charming town.
MY SON
My Son is a cultural remnant of the Cham, an ancient people who lived along the Central Vietnam. In 1999 the unique site joined UNESCO's World Heritage List with the nearby town of Hoi An. Recognized for the introduction of Hinduism to Southeast Asia, My Son has received assistance in the reconstruction of the temples destroyed in the American War.
HALONG BAY
The magnificent Ha Long Bay, which is an easy drive from Hanoi, has attracted visitors for centuries. UNESCO gave special recognition to the sight in 1994 because the threats of overdevelopment, pollution and other environmental factors were threatening the beauty of this unique place. Today, assistance from UNESCO has protected the waters from pollution and the towns from overdevelopment to sustain the site as beautiful as always.
These diverse sites all play an important role in Vietnam's history, and today are under threat from neglect, tourist development and environmental factors. UNESCO provides advice on how to combat these negative influences to preserve them for all time.
Established in 1945, the United Nations UNESCO program aims to develop better relations between countries through non-diplomatic channels like sciences and art. The acronym stands for the 'United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization' and uses information exchange and expertise to preserve the world cultural heritage and to foster better understanding in the foreign scientific archeological and other diverse communities.
HUE
The ancient capital city of the Nguyen kings, Hue, joined the UNESCO Heritage list in 1993. The recognition has paved the way for preservation assistance desperately needed since the extensive destruction during the Tet Offensive in 1968, which destroyed 80% of the city's palaces and historic sights.
The city has been given extensive financial and expert advice to rebuild and strengthen these historic sights not only as a way for Vietnamese to enjoy their cultural heritage but for foreign tourists as well. The Vietnamese government has invested $60 million US dollars for this effort. Visitors today can see the results of these preservations particularly in the Forbidden Purple City, the Citadel and several tombs lining the Perfume River.
HOI AN
Hoi An, three hours drive south of Hue, was admitted to the UNESCO program in 1999 because it was a well preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port, and because it represented a unique fusion of cultures in its architecture and history. Since then the town has received expert assistance in the protection of houses, artifacts and other treasures related to the towns history.
In recognition of its preservation efforts, the Hoi An People Committee were awarded the UNESCO prize for excellent conservation. This effort was in recognition of the effort, a combination between Japan, Vietnam and other nations, to ensure the protection of this quiet, charming town.
MY SON
My Son is a cultural remnant of the Cham, an ancient people who lived along the Central Vietnam. In 1999 the unique site joined UNESCO's World Heritage List with the nearby town of Hoi An. Recognized for the introduction of Hinduism to Southeast Asia, My Son has received assistance in the reconstruction of the temples destroyed in the American War.
HALONG BAY
The magnificent Ha Long Bay, which is an easy drive from Hanoi, has attracted visitors for centuries. UNESCO gave special recognition to the sight in 1994 because the threats of overdevelopment, pollution and other environmental factors were threatening the beauty of this unique place. Today, assistance from UNESCO has protected the waters from pollution and the towns from overdevelopment to sustain the site as beautiful as always.
