Hoi An Sustainable Tourism: 13 Years of Heritage Preservation

A Model of Heritage Conservation

Since 2012, Hoi An — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Da Nang — has made remarkable progress in conserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
The city completed 13 out of 18 key projects worth over 156 billion VND, focusing on restoration, urban management, and cultural promotion.

Hoi An currently preserves:

• 1 national special relic, 27 national relics, and 50 provincial relics.

• 8 intangible heritages recognized by the national registry, including traditional festivals like Ba Thu Bon and Bai Choi folk singing.

This dual approach has helped the ancient town maintain its authenticity while integrating cultural vitality into modern urban life.

Digital Transformation and Traditional Craft Revival

Hoi An is digitizing its heritage assets to create a comprehensive electronic database for management and promotion in the digital era.
Traditional craft villages — such as Thanh Ha pottery, Kim Bong carpentry, and Tra Que organic farming — have also been revitalized, linking cultural preservation with local economic growth.

From 2012 to 2024, nearly 299 billion VND was invested in 75 restoration projects, alongside 38 billion VND in local support funds and additional protection measures for over 340 ancient structures.

Tourism: Driving Sustainable Growth

Tourism has become Hoi An’s main economic driver.
Between 2012 and mid-2025, the city received 81 tourism awards, generated over 1.9 trillion VND in entrance ticket revenue, and welcomed 4.42 million visitors in 2024 alone.

The Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO, stands out as a successful model combining heritage conservation, ecological protection, and sustainable tourism.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its success, Hoi An faces several challenges:

• Heavy reliance on government funding.

• Limited private and international investment.

• Management gaps amid new heritage laws and rapid tourism growth.

• Risks from climate change, flooding, and over-tourism.

Looking Forward: Balancing Heritage and Modern Development

Da Nang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed a new post-2025 master plan to align heritage preservation with digital transformation and green urban development.
This future plan emphasizes:

• Integrated management across Da Nang and Quang Nam.

• Smart digital heritage systems.

• Community engagement in preservation efforts.

• Regional cooperation for sustainable tourism.

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong,

“The goal is not to expand geographically but to expand Hoi An’s cultural space — ensuring its heritage continues to live, breathe, and inspire within a sustainable development framework.”

Conclusion

After 13 years, Hoi An remains a living museum of Vietnamese culture, proving that heritage conservation and economic growth can go hand in hand.
With its new vision beyond 2025, the city is poised to become a global model for sustainable heritage tourism — where culture, nature, and community coexist in harmony.

images: Collected

Source: Baodanang.vn

Plan Your Trip with TripAsean Tours

👉 Contact TripAsean Tours: For customized trip planning, hotel recommendations, and expert travel tips.

• • • • • • 📞 Hotline: +84 961 518 918
          • 🌐 Website: www.tripasean.com
          • 📧 Email: info@tripasean.com
          • 📝Let me know your request: Fill out the form here