Lesson 1 - Heritage, a mirror reflecting history and national identity

VHO - Vietnam is blessed by nature and history with an extremely rich treasure of heritage, stretching from majestic mountains and forests to immense coastlines, from quiet ancient towns to bustling craft villages filled with the sounds of pestles and mortars.

Heritage is not only a testament to the depth of culture and history but also a valuable resource for tourism development in the context of international integration.

In fact, heritage tourism is becoming an increasingly popular trend, both meeting tourists' needs for exploration and contributing to preserving and spreading the nation's eternal values.

Thousand years of cultural and historical space

According to statistics, Vietnam currently has 9 tangible world heritages recognized by UNESCO, from the Complex of Hue Monuments, Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary to Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ho Dynasty Citadel, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and recently the Complex of Monuments and Scenic Landscapes of Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac.

Hoi An ancient town is brilliant with lanterns

Along with that, more than 16 intangible heritages have been honored, notably Hue Royal Court Music, Ca Tru, Quan Ho, Xoan Singing, Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space, Southern Amateur Music...

Documentary heritages such as Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks, Nguyen Dynasty Royal Records, and Poetry on Hue Royal Architecture also enrich the national heritage treasure.

In addition, thousands of national and provincial relics, hundreds of traditional craft villages and folk festivals still exist, contributing to diversity and spreading values ​​throughout the region.

Central Highlands artisans perform gongs in community space

Traveling across the country, each region carries its own unique heritage. The North is home to heritages steeped in a thousand-year history, from the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – witness to many dynasties, to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a harmonious combination of limestone mountains, caves, rivers and historical vestiges.

Ca Tru and Quan Ho melodies not only appear in performances but also resonate in the daily life of the community.

The blend of tangible and intangible heritage has created a unique cultural appearance of the North, both ancient and modern, closely associated with the lives of residents.

The fascinating heritage road

The Central region is the heart of the heritage road, where in just a short journey, visitors can visit the Hue Monuments Complex, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Sanctuary.

Hue's royal court music still resonates in art performances, Hoi An still lights up on full moon nights, and My Son takes viewers back in time through the thousand-year-old Cham towers.

Traditional craft villages attract tourists

This is also a land where nature and history blend together, when mountains, rivers, beaches coexist with historical monuments, creating a special attraction in the eyes of domestic and foreign tourists.

If the North and Central regions retain many traces of dynasties and ancient architecture, the Central Highlands stands out for the mystery of the Gong Cultural Space. The sound of gongs resonates in festivals and community activities, closely associated with the life of the Bahnar, Ede, and M'nong people.

Elephant racing festivals, new rice celebrations, grave abandonment ceremonies… are also living proof of the everlasting vitality of indigenous culture.

Kim Bong Traditional Craft Village (Hoi An, Da Nang)

Meanwhile, the South is associated with the image of rivers and community life, where Southern amateur music is performed in activities and festivals, where historical revolutionary relics and resistance bases become destinations for millions of visitors each year.

Heritage-based tourism experience

The value of heritage lies not only in its physical properties but also in the unforgettable experiences it brings. These include leisurely walks in the ancient town of Hoi An, lit up with lanterns, the sound of Thien Mu Pagoda bells ringing on the Perfume River, the slow boats taking visitors through the Trang An caves during the flood season, or the excitement of participating in the Central Highlands elephant racing festival.

The Central Highlands gong cultural space is an attraction for international tourists.

Each tangible heritage is associated with a story of formation, development, even loss and restoration; each intangible heritage is the crystallization of intelligence, talent and spiritual life of the community through many generations.

For tourists, it is not just about "watching" but "living with" the local culture, it is about immersing yourself in a real, ongoing cultural flow.

It can be said that Vietnam is truly a "treasure trove" of heritage, where each destination is a page of history, each festival is a breath of culture, each craft village is a source of memories.

In the context of globalization, exploiting heritage values ​​to develop tourism is not only an economic opportunity but also a responsibility to preserve the roots for future generations.

Heritage tourism is therefore not simply a tourism product, but a journey of discovery, connection and spreading national pride, making the image of Vietnam and its people shine brighter on the world map.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/bai-1-di-san-tam-guong-phan-chieu-lich-su-va-ban-sac-dan-toc-167277.html