Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center
Key Priorities in the Conservation and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage Values of Hội An Ancient Town in 2026
In 2025, despite numerous challenges, particularly the severe impacts of natural disasters and flooding, as well as initial difficulties in implementing the two-tier local government model, the Hội An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, under the guidance of central authorities, Quảng Nam Province (formerly), the city People’s Committee, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Đà Nẵng, and the Hội An city authorities (formerly), made significant efforts to both restructure its organizational apparatus and effectively implement heritage conservation and promotion across multiple areas.
The World Cultural Heritage site of Hội An Ancient Town has thus been effectively preserved and promoted, providing a critical foundation and driving force for local socio-economic development, particularly in tourism and services, while improving living standards. The reputation and brand of Hội An as a World Heritage site continue to expand both domestically and internationally.
In implementing directives from the Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, especially regarding the promotion of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the development of cultural sector databases, and based on the guiding principle that “cultural heritage must become a distinctive asset and comparative advantage, with conservation and enhancement linked to community livelihoods and sustainable development,” the Center will, in 2026, under the theme: “Unity, discipline, responsibility, creativity, and the promotion of science and technology application for the conservation and promotion of the cultural heritage values of Hội An Ancient Town,” focus on the following key tasks:
First, strengthen scientific research on heritage in connection with management, conservation, and value promotion. This includes research, documentation, identification, and evaluation of various heritage types in accordance with the 2004 Cultural Heritage Law and updated legal instruments, with particular attention to documentary heritage and intangible cultural heritage. Priority will be given to studying belief and worship practices, folk performance traditions, culinary knowledge, and traditional boat-building in Hội An and surrounding areas. Systematic heritage inventorying will be conducted to ensure completeness, scientific rigor, and regular updates, contributing to the gradual development of a comprehensive digital heritage database.
The Center will also proactively organize and collaborate on academic forums, conferences, and thematic seminars to further identify the outstanding universal values of Hội An heritage and propose solutions for conservation in the contemporary context, while reinforcing Hội An’s role within UNESCO heritage and creative city networks. At the same time, it will prioritize the compilation and publication of specialized works on local history and culture, national intangible heritage, and the art of Hội An Ancient Town, while identifying and incorporating additional cultural values into future conservation strategies.
Second, enhance the effectiveness of heritage management and monument conservation investment. The Center will actively advise the city authorities and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in implementing the project on conservation and promotion of Hội An heritage for the period 2025–2030, with orientation to 2035; develop planning tasks for conservation and promotion through 2035 with a vision to 2050; and refine management regulations and coordination mechanisms. Continued support policies for the restoration of privately and collectively owned monuments across Hội An wards and Tân Hiệp island commune will be proposed.
Coordination with local authorities will be strengthened in managing monuments both within and outside the Ancient Town. Construction permits, restoration, and renovation activities will be managed in compliance with regulations, alongside enhanced inspection and monitoring of construction, landscape, and commercial activities within the heritage zone. Violations will be promptly addressed. Regular assessments of monument conditions and heritage trees will be conducted, alongside disaster prevention and climate adaptation measures, especially reinforcement of deteriorating structures during storm seasons. Emergency archaeological excavations and conservation of shipwreck artifacts along the coastal area of Hội An Tây Ward will also be undertaken.
Investment efforts will focus on preparing and implementing projects for the restoration and emergency safeguarding of severely deteriorating monuments for the 2026–2030 period, while continuing key projects in monument conservation, heritage digitization, and infrastructure upgrading linked to sustainable tourism.
Third, innovate communication, outreach, and archival work, linking heritage conservation with community and youth education. In 2026, communication efforts will prioritize new formats and content for heritage promotion through experiential activities at museums and monuments, heritage education programs, and thematic tours, including the development of a night tour program at the Hội An Prison relic site.
Digital communication will be expanded, with close collaboration with media and businesses to promote the image of Hội An heritage and tourism. Existing heritage-focused radio programs will be maintained, and the quality of digitized content improved. Museum storage and archival work will be enhanced through standardization, digitization, and sustainable preservation practices, including inventorying, preventive conservation, collection expansion, and completion of databases for Hán-Nôm documents, inscriptions, and specialized materials.
Fourth, improve service quality and modernize visitor management. This includes enhancing visitor guidance services, digitizing ticketing systems, developing thematic tours and creative cultural tourism products, and improving the effectiveness of pedestrian streets, night streets, and car-free zones. Training and professional development for staff serving visitors will be emphasized.
Fifth, expand performance, event, and cultural exchange activities. The Center will lead and coordinate the organization of major cultural festivals and events in 2026, while strengthening international cultural exchange, especially with partners from Japan, South Korea, and UNESCO creative and heritage city networks. Regular artistic performances will be enhanced, and programs for transmitting folk singing, bài chòi, and traditional music will be expanded in communities and schools, encouraging creative engagement and the transmission of intangible heritage values.
Sixth, accelerate the implementation of commitments to UNESCO regarding the development of Hội An as a Global Creative City. This includes digitizing curricula for traditional arts training and developing creative cultural tourism products linked to the preservation of traditional crafts and folk arts in the contemporary context.
External relations and international cooperation will be strengthened through active participation in global forums and networks of UNESCO creative and heritage cities, enhancing the promotion of Hội An’s image regionally and internationally, and reinforcing its position in the country’s new development phase.
With the dynamic and creative development context of Đà Nẵng, the continued support of authorities at all levels, close direction from the city government and Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, coordination from local wards and communities, and active participation of residents and businesses, the conservation and promotion of the cultural heritage values of Hội An Ancient Town will continue to be elevated, contributing to the nation’s next phase of development.
Panoramic view of Hoi An
Heritage management was strengthened, especially in advising on planning frameworks, projects, action plans, and regulatory mechanisms in the new context. Research, publication, and printing of books on Hội An’s cultural heritage were expanded. Communication, museum, and heritage education activities were innovated, with strong integration of digital technologies. Performance and event activities were maintained with clearer focus and increasingly updated formats aligned with local cultural and political events. International cooperation continued, particularly through participation in UNESCO Creative Cities Network activities committed to by Hội An. Visitor services and tour guidance were well organized. In 2025, the Center welcomed approximately 1,695,000 ticketed visitors to the heritage site.The World Cultural Heritage site of Hội An Ancient Town has thus been effectively preserved and promoted, providing a critical foundation and driving force for local socio-economic development, particularly in tourism and services, while improving living standards. The reputation and brand of Hội An as a World Heritage site continue to expand both domestically and internationally.
In implementing directives from the Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, especially regarding the promotion of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the development of cultural sector databases, and based on the guiding principle that “cultural heritage must become a distinctive asset and comparative advantage, with conservation and enhancement linked to community livelihoods and sustainable development,” the Center will, in 2026, under the theme: “Unity, discipline, responsibility, creativity, and the promotion of science and technology application for the conservation and promotion of the cultural heritage values of Hội An Ancient Town,” focus on the following key tasks:
First, strengthen scientific research on heritage in connection with management, conservation, and value promotion. This includes research, documentation, identification, and evaluation of various heritage types in accordance with the 2004 Cultural Heritage Law and updated legal instruments, with particular attention to documentary heritage and intangible cultural heritage. Priority will be given to studying belief and worship practices, folk performance traditions, culinary knowledge, and traditional boat-building in Hội An and surrounding areas. Systematic heritage inventorying will be conducted to ensure completeness, scientific rigor, and regular updates, contributing to the gradual development of a comprehensive digital heritage database.
The Center will also proactively organize and collaborate on academic forums, conferences, and thematic seminars to further identify the outstanding universal values of Hội An heritage and propose solutions for conservation in the contemporary context, while reinforcing Hội An’s role within UNESCO heritage and creative city networks. At the same time, it will prioritize the compilation and publication of specialized works on local history and culture, national intangible heritage, and the art of Hội An Ancient Town, while identifying and incorporating additional cultural values into future conservation strategies.
Second, enhance the effectiveness of heritage management and monument conservation investment. The Center will actively advise the city authorities and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in implementing the project on conservation and promotion of Hội An heritage for the period 2025–2030, with orientation to 2035; develop planning tasks for conservation and promotion through 2035 with a vision to 2050; and refine management regulations and coordination mechanisms. Continued support policies for the restoration of privately and collectively owned monuments across Hội An wards and Tân Hiệp island commune will be proposed.
Coordination with local authorities will be strengthened in managing monuments both within and outside the Ancient Town. Construction permits, restoration, and renovation activities will be managed in compliance with regulations, alongside enhanced inspection and monitoring of construction, landscape, and commercial activities within the heritage zone. Violations will be promptly addressed. Regular assessments of monument conditions and heritage trees will be conducted, alongside disaster prevention and climate adaptation measures, especially reinforcement of deteriorating structures during storm seasons. Emergency archaeological excavations and conservation of shipwreck artifacts along the coastal area of Hội An Tây Ward will also be undertaken.
Investment efforts will focus on preparing and implementing projects for the restoration and emergency safeguarding of severely deteriorating monuments for the 2026–2030 period, while continuing key projects in monument conservation, heritage digitization, and infrastructure upgrading linked to sustainable tourism.
Third, innovate communication, outreach, and archival work, linking heritage conservation with community and youth education. In 2026, communication efforts will prioritize new formats and content for heritage promotion through experiential activities at museums and monuments, heritage education programs, and thematic tours, including the development of a night tour program at the Hội An Prison relic site.
Digital communication will be expanded, with close collaboration with media and businesses to promote the image of Hội An heritage and tourism. Existing heritage-focused radio programs will be maintained, and the quality of digitized content improved. Museum storage and archival work will be enhanced through standardization, digitization, and sustainable preservation practices, including inventorying, preventive conservation, collection expansion, and completion of databases for Hán-Nôm documents, inscriptions, and specialized materials.
Fourth, improve service quality and modernize visitor management. This includes enhancing visitor guidance services, digitizing ticketing systems, developing thematic tours and creative cultural tourism products, and improving the effectiveness of pedestrian streets, night streets, and car-free zones. Training and professional development for staff serving visitors will be emphasized.
Fifth, expand performance, event, and cultural exchange activities. The Center will lead and coordinate the organization of major cultural festivals and events in 2026, while strengthening international cultural exchange, especially with partners from Japan, South Korea, and UNESCO creative and heritage city networks. Regular artistic performances will be enhanced, and programs for transmitting folk singing, bài chòi, and traditional music will be expanded in communities and schools, encouraging creative engagement and the transmission of intangible heritage values.
Sixth, accelerate the implementation of commitments to UNESCO regarding the development of Hội An as a Global Creative City. This includes digitizing curricula for traditional arts training and developing creative cultural tourism products linked to the preservation of traditional crafts and folk arts in the contemporary context.
External relations and international cooperation will be strengthened through active participation in global forums and networks of UNESCO creative and heritage cities, enhancing the promotion of Hội An’s image regionally and internationally, and reinforcing its position in the country’s new development phase.
With the dynamic and creative development context of Đà Nẵng, the continued support of authorities at all levels, close direction from the city government and Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, coordination from local wards and communities, and active participation of residents and businesses, the conservation and promotion of the cultural heritage values of Hội An Ancient Town will continue to be elevated, contributing to the nation’s next phase of development.
Author: Quảng Văn Quý
Source: Hoi An Center for the Conservation of World Cultural Heritage
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