At the workshop “Heritage Preservation & Economic Development” (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – A workshop titled “Heritage Preservation & Economic Development” was held by the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) on September 11 in the framework of the Italian Design Day 2019.
According to Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem, Ho Chi Minh City has a wide range of cultural heritages and is looking to outline a rational master plan to protect their value during local socio-economic development.
He spoke highly of the workshop, saying it offered opportunities for experts and businesses to exchange experience and discuss measures to raise public awareness of the potential of cultural heritage preservation. Besides, it is expected to help companies operating in tourism, real estate and culture to seek long-term cooperation in the city.
Italian General Consul Dante Brandi, for his part, laid stress on the significance of heritage preservation during the economic development process, especially as Ho Chi Minh City is targeting to become a smart urban area in 2025.
Together with the city’s interest and local firms’ creativeness, the heritage preservation will become a motive to boost tourism and economic development in the locality, he added.
Sharing experience in promoting values of Hoi An ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, PhD Vu Ngoc Hoang, former Secretary of Quang Nam province’s Party Committee, underlined the importance to change community awareness, and emphasized the need for support from local authorities and people to preserve the heritage site.
Meanwhile, head of the UNESCO of Office in Vietnam Michael Croft said preservation of cultural heritages must be made in tandem with the building of smart urban areas.
The UNESCO stands ready to cooperate with Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular in the field, he added./.
VNA
