Two experts offer opinions on how to harmonize the clash between efforts to preserve national heritages and residents’ rights to a comfortable life inside modern, well-equipped buildings.
Fine art expert Phan Cam Thuong:
It’s very difficult to preserve heritages, even in developed countries. The government needs strategic solutions such as maintaining a certain population density, thinning out the population, boosting cultural tourism revenues, and building resettlement areas for locals.
Besides, the government should take measures like taking back ancient houses and not developing tourism services in areas being preserved, sponsoring traditional crafts aiming at boosting up locals’ income.
The government should resolutely force them to move to other places if they want to renovate or construct houses.
As I know, governments in developed countries always build new resettlement areas in ancient towns to balance locals’ welfare and develop tourism.
The most important thing is that locals’ right to live in modern houses also needs to be taken into account and the government should work with them to reach an agreement.
Based on the country’s economy, we cannot take comprehensive measures. Instead, we should do it step by step.
Hoi An ancient town is a typical example. All houses are used for commercial purposes.
If the locals are not allowed to renovate or construct them, they will have to sell them or move to another place to build new homes.
Consequently, wealthy people from other places have gradually replaced the locals.
The same thing happens in neighboring country China and in western countries, where rich residents like to preserve ancient houses as a means to earn more money.
We have witnessed cultural bankruptcy in Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi, where the locals are not proud of traditional houses.
For example, the landscape surrounding the Kiem Lien Pagoda has been turned into a matchbox as more and more hotels and guesthouses are being built there.
Vong Canh hill, ancient citadels Tuyen Quang and Son Tay, O Quan Chuong - the last remaining ancient gate in Hanoi - has also fallen victim to commercialization.
How to preserve Duong Lam ancient village
Ngo Kieu Oanh of the National Institute of Science and Technology told Tuoi Tre her opinions on how to preserve the Duong Lam ancient village in Son Tay near Hanoi.
The government has to prioritize the locals’ rights and hand over the power of preserving ancient houses to them.
Many travel agencies have developed home-stay tourism in Mong Phu hamlet, Duong Lam ancient village.
I think that is a good way to preserve the village through tourism activities.
In addition, the government should focus on the village’s specialties and promote them to the world.
The locals need to abide by preservation laws in not building tall houses. But in turn, the government needs to give assistance and support to them.
Part 1: Modern-loving locals turn back on ancient village
Part 2: Hue residents not keen on heritage, government dithers
Some photos of Duong Lam ancient village by Dat Viet Newspaper:
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Mong Phu village gate in Duong Lam
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Nine-floor tower in Mia pagoda
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Ancient houses in Duong Lam
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Mong Phu communal house
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Tich River
