When architect Le Thanh Vinh returned to Cu Da, an old village located30km away from Hanoi's centre, he was shocked to say the least.
Rapid changes from urbanisation had almost completely erased theancient features of the village compared with photos he had taken nineyears ago. Once a fusion of French architectural style and rusticVietnamese living and the home of traditional soybean sauce, the town isbut a shadow of its former self.
"Anyone who knowsabout the village would feel the same way. It's so sad to see modernstructures spoiling the authenticity of the village," Vinh told aworkshop dedicated to the preservation of ancient villages in Hanoi.
"With the rapid pace of urbanisation, the preservation of ancientvillages is difficult to achieve, especially when we need to balancepreservation and development," said the head of the Institute for RelicsConservation which hosted the conference on Friday.
Statistics collected this year indicate that Cu Da is among 60 villagesin Hanoi recognised as having unique historical, architectural,spiritual and cultural value and eligible for national heritage status.
However, conservation experts are concerned thatsuch a "long list" poses a challenge for policy makers. Many have citedthe case of Duong Lam village, the only village recognised as a nationalhistorical site, currently facing obstacles with conservation efforts.
After gaining official recognition as a heritagesite, households in Duong Lam signed a joint letter offering to revokethe village's heritage status, citing the decision prohibiting residentsfrom building houses or requiring approval to conduct home repairs.
Professor Hoang Dao Kinh from the National Cultural Heritage Councilrecognised there were challenges in preserving Hanoi's ancient villages.
"It's always a challenge for Hanoi to maintainancient villages and traditional values; the challenge betweenpreservation and development. A feasible preservation requires that thequintessence and the subjects of the villages be cared for the most."
However, Kinh argued that conservation efforts shouldfocus on what he describes as "real heritage", saying: "We must becareful in recognising them as a piece of heritage. We have so manyrelics but fail to preserve our essential sites."
DrDang Van Bai from the council agreed that Hanoi failed to preserveancient villages by neglecting the subject of heritage - people.
"Preservation must ensure better living conditions for localresidents. Human beings and their need must be the focal point of thisprocess," Bai said.
Professor Pham Dinh Viet agreedpreserving the villages meant balancing conservations efforts with theneeds of residential areas.
"The community needs to play a vital role because they are owners of the heritage," said Viet.
For now, it appears progress is on the horison. In a bid to strengthenfuture conservation efforts, participants at the conference discussed apotential criteria for ancient villages eligible for heritage status.
In further progress, participants also agreed thatthe daily life and functioning of local communities was an essentialcriteria in preventing future conflicts seen with Duong Lam village.
"They need to benefit from the heritage but at the same time be accountable for its existence," said Viet.
Importantly, it appeared that everyone had their eye on the prize topreserve valuable pieces of Vietnamese culture, said Professor Kinh.
"Hanoi is home to many ancient villages that preserve the roots of thenation," he said. "The biggest contribution Vietnam can make to aglobal culture is our village culture."-VNA
Rapid changes from urbanisation had almost completely erased theancient features of the village compared with photos he had taken nineyears ago. Once a fusion of French architectural style and rusticVietnamese living and the home of traditional soybean sauce, the town isbut a shadow of its former self.
"Anyone who knowsabout the village would feel the same way. It's so sad to see modernstructures spoiling the authenticity of the village," Vinh told aworkshop dedicated to the preservation of ancient villages in Hanoi.
"With the rapid pace of urbanisation, the preservation of ancientvillages is difficult to achieve, especially when we need to balancepreservation and development," said the head of the Institute for RelicsConservation which hosted the conference on Friday.
Statistics collected this year indicate that Cu Da is among 60 villagesin Hanoi recognised as having unique historical, architectural,spiritual and cultural value and eligible for national heritage status.
However, conservation experts are concerned thatsuch a "long list" poses a challenge for policy makers. Many have citedthe case of Duong Lam village, the only village recognised as a nationalhistorical site, currently facing obstacles with conservation efforts.
After gaining official recognition as a heritagesite, households in Duong Lam signed a joint letter offering to revokethe village's heritage status, citing the decision prohibiting residentsfrom building houses or requiring approval to conduct home repairs.
Professor Hoang Dao Kinh from the National Cultural Heritage Councilrecognised there were challenges in preserving Hanoi's ancient villages.
"It's always a challenge for Hanoi to maintainancient villages and traditional values; the challenge betweenpreservation and development. A feasible preservation requires that thequintessence and the subjects of the villages be cared for the most."
However, Kinh argued that conservation efforts shouldfocus on what he describes as "real heritage", saying: "We must becareful in recognising them as a piece of heritage. We have so manyrelics but fail to preserve our essential sites."
DrDang Van Bai from the council agreed that Hanoi failed to preserveancient villages by neglecting the subject of heritage - people.
"Preservation must ensure better living conditions for localresidents. Human beings and their need must be the focal point of thisprocess," Bai said.
Professor Pham Dinh Viet agreedpreserving the villages meant balancing conservations efforts with theneeds of residential areas.
"The community needs to play a vital role because they are owners of the heritage," said Viet.
For now, it appears progress is on the horison. In a bid to strengthenfuture conservation efforts, participants at the conference discussed apotential criteria for ancient villages eligible for heritage status.
In further progress, participants also agreed thatthe daily life and functioning of local communities was an essentialcriteria in preventing future conflicts seen with Duong Lam village.
"They need to benefit from the heritage but at the same time be accountable for its existence," said Viet.
Importantly, it appeared that everyone had their eye on the prize topreserve valuable pieces of Vietnamese culture, said Professor Kinh.
"Hanoi is home to many ancient villages that preserve the roots of thenation," he said. "The biggest contribution Vietnam can make to aglobal culture is our village culture."-VNA
