Promoting the value of heritage

Cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is a spiritual and material product that holds historical, cultural, and scientific significance, passed down from one generation to the next. It is a precious asset that helps educate traditions, shape national identity, foster economic and social development, and strengthen community ties.

Therefore, preserving heritage is not merely about safeguarding physical artifacts, but essentially about preserving, transferring, and enriching the cultural, historical, and spiritual values that heritage carries. This ensures that heritage remains vibrant and relevant in contemporary society.

It is crucial to adopt a mindset that balances conservation with the exploitation of heritage values. Preserving heritage helps maintain the core values, history, and traditions of a community or nation, contributing to the cultivation of patriotism and national pride. At the same time, heritage can be leveraged to generate revenue. This income can be reinvested into conservation and restoration efforts. Thanks to this cycle, heritage can be preserved for future generations while simultaneously serving as a powerful economic and social resource.

To protect heritage effectively, the most important solution lies not in funding or technology, but in the awareness of the community. When people recognize that heritage is their own asset, they will naturally become the first guardians of their cultural heritage.

Promoting the value of heritage is about breathing new life into old traditions, creating new value that serves the sustainable development of the nation. Heritage is not just a historical narrative; it is an endless source of inspiration for creative industries. For instance, products like handicrafts, fashion, design, cinema, and contemporary art can draw inspiration from heritage patterns, motifs, and historical stories. Furthermore, the promotion of national identity through heritage is a key driver in tourism development. This generates high added value, turning heritage into a competitive advantage in the digital age.

When the relationship between preservation and the economic exploitation of heritage is managed well, it creates a sustainable heritage ecosystem, where heritage is not only preserved but also becomes a driving force for economic and social development, nourished by the very values it produces.

Phuong Dong