A club of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites in Vietnam debuted in Hanoi on December 4, with the Hue Relic Preservation Centre chairing for the first year.

The social organisation comprises of the managing centres of seven UNESCO- recognised world heritage sites in Vietnam and gathers expert active in protecting, conserving and upholding the cultural and natural values of the country.

It will be a forum where member centres can strengthen their cooperation and mutual support through exchanges of management advice and experience, useful data and personnel training in the field.

Dr. Duong Bich Hanh from UNESCO Hanoi said she hopes the club will start a risk management to conserve and uphold heritage values in Vietnam.

Vietnam ’s ceaseless efforts to enhance the management and protection of world heritage sites have been highly recognised by UNESCO.

The country was elected to the 21-member World Heritage Committee (WHC) of UNESCO for the 2013-2017 tenure on November 19.-VNA