Preparations Accelerated for the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr Ngô Lê Văn, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO; Mr Hoàng Đạo Cương, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Vice-Chair of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO; and Ms Vũ Thu Hà, Vice-Chairwoman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee.

Participants also included Mr Jonathan Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam; the Director of the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism; and representatives of relevant departments and agencies.

The Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity will be hosted by Ha Noi in coordination with the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO, with the participation of relevant specialized agencies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The Dialogue is expected to welcome around 200 delegates from countries across the Asia-Pacific region, together with leading heritage experts from around the world.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Ngô Lê Văn emphasized that the Dialogue is both a professional forum and an important multilateral engagement, reflecting Viet Nam’s active role, responsibility and contribution to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

In this context, the Dialogue will provide an opportunity for Viet Nam and other Asia-Pacific countries to contribute regional perspectives and experience to international discussions on heritage and authenticity, at a time when heritage conservation is increasingly affected by urbanization, climate change, disasters, socio-economic development and tourism pressures.

One of the key expected outcomes is the Ha Noi Outcome Document on Heritage and Authenticity, which is intended to bring the perspectives and experience of the region into the continuing development of international understanding and practice in heritage conservation.

The Dialogue will also provide Viet Nam with an opportunity to share its experience in heritage conservation, recovery and promotion, while drawing on international expertise and attention in relation to the conservation and reconstruction of Kinh Thien Palace at the Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and other heritage dossiers of Viet Nam.

 

 

Deputy Minister Hoàng Đạo Cương stressed the need to clarify different approaches to authenticity in heritage conservation. He also called for further work to finalize the participation of experts, researchers and relevant professional institutions in the Dialogue.

 

Mr Jonathan Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, said the Office would serve as a link with UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and work closely with relevant Vietnamese institutions to provide timely technical and professional support. UNESCO would also contribute to the Dialogue sessions and to the process of preparing the Ha Noi Outcome Document.

 

 

Regarding organizational arrangements, Ms Vũ Thu Hà proposed that an overall plan be issued at an early stage, with clear responsibilities and authority assigned to each relevant agency and organization to ensure timely and effective preparations. She reaffirmed Ha Noi’s commitment and responsibility as host of the international event.

Mr Bùi Văn Mạnh, Director of the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, also confirmed the province’s support for activities related to the Dialogue, including field visits and activities related to sustainable tourism, heritage conservation and community livelihoods in Ninh Binh.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Ngô Lê Văn commended the initiative demonstrated by the agencies and organizations involved.

Under the proposed arrangements, the Secretariat of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate the overall process and serve as the focal point for engagement with UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and international partners. The Culture Sub-Commission under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will lead on substantive and technical content, while Ha Noi and Ninh Binh will take responsibility for the components organized in their respective localities.

Preparations will continue in the coming period to ensure the effective organization of the Dialogue and contribute to strengthening the international profile and capacity of Ha Noi and Viet Nam in hosting international events.

 

The Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity is scheduled to take place from 27 September to 1 October 2026 in Ha Noi and Ninh Binh.

The Dialogue is being held in the year marking the 50th anniversary of relations between Viet Nam and UNESCO (1976–2026) and ahead of the 40th anniversary of Viet Nam’s participation in the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Viet Nam is currently a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023–2027 term.