The arial view of Tràng An Landscape Complex, a World Culture and Natural and natural Heritage of Ninh Bình Province. — Photo daibieunhandan.vn

NINH BÌNH — Experts are discussing the role of the Vietnam National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in heritage preservation at a conference being held in the northern province of Ninh Bình.

Held by the commission on Thursday and Friday, the conference includes talks on heritage conservation and promoting the role of the National Commission for UNESCO, as well as a field trip to Tràng An Landscape Complex.

The two-day event has drawn participants from various heritage site management boards, specialists from the National Commission for UNESCO of Việt Nam, Mongolia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Japan and Coordinator of the National Commission for UNESCO network, Sector of External Relations in UNESCO Paris.

According to the Vietnamese commission, heritage has played a crucial role in the development of the economy and society, and results in a developed tourism industry, an increase in visitors, economic benefits, as well as public knowledge of the country’s image.

However, both cultural and natural heritages face many dangers as society develops, making balancing the process of developing and preserving heritages vitally important.

Opening the conference, Mai Phan Dũng, secretary general of Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, spoke of the important role of the organisation in protecting and promoting the value of natural, tangible and intangible cultural heritages.

“In the past years, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO has participated in building dossiers of heritage for UNESCO’s recognition, orienting and passing on experience to implement in Việt Nam, in addition to proposing suggestions related to heritage preservation and promotion.

“The National Commission for UNESCO also connects the network among heritage areas' local authorities and the world to share experiences in heritage administration and conservation,” he said.

However, Dũng also mentioned there were some issues emerging like the co-ordination and assignation roles among the secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as well as of related organisations.

“The conference creates a chance to raise awareness within society of the need for cultural and natural heritage to sustainable development; share difficulties, experiences and knowledge from other countries; promote the role of people, communities, business, youth and private sectors in heritage conservation activities,” he added. — VNS