Hai Phong makes new strides in promoting heritage values

Efforts to preserve heritage values

On September 16, 2023, the Cat Ba archipelago, together with Ha Long Bay, was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage site, the first inter-provincial heritage site of Vietnam.

Subsequently, on July 12, 2025, the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex was honored as a World Cultural Heritage site, making Hai Phong the first locality in the country to possess two inter-provincial heritage sites.

Along with this, the rich system of national treasures has affirmed the unique cultural identity of the port city.

Assoc. Prof., Dr. Do Van Tru, Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association, highly valued the efforts to preserve the system of national treasures in Hai Phong, especially the An Bien collection of collector Tran Dinh Thang, which includes more than 500 rare artifacts, among them are 18 national treasures.

From 2020 to 2025, before the merger with Hai Duong province, Hai Phong invested nearly 38 billion VND to repair and restore 16 national relics and 54 city-level ones, while mobilizing more than 146 billion VND from socialization. The former Hai Duong province carried out 181 restorations and renovations of relics with a total cost of more than 3,000 billion VND, reconstructing many works associated with historical figures and major events, creating highlights for cultural and spiritual tourism.

Not only focusing on tangible heritage, the localities also promoted the value of intangible heritage. While, Hai Phong maintained the Red Flamboyant Festival, the Festival of Trang Trinh Temple, etc., Hai Duong had Con Son – Kiep Bac Festivals, Cao An Phu Temple Festival…, meeting cultural and spiritual needs while becoming distinctive tourism products, promoting the image of the localities.

Notably, the projects “Television stage,” “Street music,” the program “Lights on at the City Theater,” and art performances serving workers have highlighted Hai Phong’s position in performing arts, contributing to preserving and promoting heritage values in contemporary life.

Promoting heritage values in contemporary life

Looking back at the 2020 - 2025 period, Hai Phong’s heritage has not only been preserved as “historical witnesses” but has also become a vibrant part of modern life. The fact that UNESCO consecutively honored two heritage complexes proves the strategic vision of the leadership and the consensus of society.

Currently, many other dossiers are being prepared, aiming for UNESCO recognition of outstanding figures, contributing to spreading Vietnamese wisdom.

The combination of State budget and socialization has given a new look to hundreds of relics. Two resolutions of the city People’s Council (2017 and 2022) created transparent mechanisms for financial support, with nearly 70 billion VND of budget capital, thereby mobilizing more than 340 billion VND from socialization. This not only saved many deteriorating works but also revived traditional cultural spaces, folk festivals, and the community’s spiritual life.

Another highlight is linking heritage with socio-economic development. When heritage becomes a tourism product that brings practical benefits such as economic growth, job creation, and better people’s lives. Combining heritage with the strategy of green, sustainable tourism has helped the new Hai Phong city shape itself into a large marine, cultural, and spiritual tourism center, connecting regions and reaching out internationally.

“Cultural identity expressed through heritage is the foundation of soft power, creating momentum for the new Hai Phong city to develop sustainably and integrate deeply. With political determination, long-term vision, and social consensus, cultural and historical heritage will enrich national identity and enhance the city’s and the country’s position on the international stage,” said Tran Thi Hoang Mai, Member of the city Party Committee and Director of the city Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

HAI HAU