Politics · Vietnam Bureau
Vietnam's two new UNESCO heritage listings demand intensified conservation efforts
Vietnam has secured recognition for two significant documentary collections on UNESCO's regional Memory of the World register, adding to the country's cultural prestige while placing new preservation responsibilities on two provinces.
LSN Vietnam ·
The "Pho Hien Stone Steles" in Hung Yen province and the "Cliff-based inscriptions on Non Nuoc Mountain" in Ninh Binh province have been formally inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World register for Asia and the Pacific. The dual recognition underscores Vietnam's rich historical and cultural heritage, particularly regarding ancient written records and stone inscriptions.
Dr Vu Thi Minh Huong, Vice Chair of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized that the newly recognized sites will require sustained academic investigation and comprehensive conservation strategies. Provincial authorities in both Hung Yen and Ninh Binh must develop restoration programmes that align with Vietnam's cultural heritage preservation laws and comply with UNESCO's international standards.
The inscriptions represent valuable documentary evidence of Vietnam's historical periods, with the stone steles and cliff writings offering insights into administrative, cultural, and social practices of earlier eras. Proper conservation will ensure these materials remain accessible for future scholarly research and public education.
The listings come as Vietnam strengthens its UNESCO engagement across multiple fronts. The Dong Van Karst Plateau in Quang Ninh province is also pursuing renewal of its UNESCO Global Geopark designation, while the province receives UNESCO support for digital initiatives in heritage management and preservation technologies.