Reclaiming the Glory: Vietnam’s World Heritage Sites

1. Introduction: Three Gems of Central Vietnam

Central Vietnam is a land steeped in history, a region where the cultural sediments of the nation have accumulated over centuries. It is here that the cities of Hue and Da Nang are guardians of three of Vietnam’s most iconic UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites: the Complex of Hue Monuments, the Ancient Town of Hoi An, and the My Son Sanctuary.

These sites, recognized for their outstanding universal value, have undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. Their journey from near oblivion and ruin to vibrant revival and global acclaim is a testament to resilience and dedicated preservation.

Since the ancient capital of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An, and the My Son temple towers were recognized as World Cultural Heritage sites, these heritage sites of human stature have taken on a new appearance.

2. From the Brink of Ruin to Global Recognition

Just over three decades ago, the prospects for these cultural treasures were bleak. The Complex of Hue Monuments, the Ancient Town of Hoi An, and the My Son Sanctuary were largely forgotten, slowly succumbing to the ravages of time, war, and neglect. They stood on the precipice of becoming permanent ruins, with limited resources available for their rescue.

The pivotal turning point came with UNESCO’s recognition. Hue was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993, followed by Hoi An and My Son together in 1999. This international acknowledgment was a catalyst, catapulting them onto the global stage and launching an extensive period of restoration and conservation. Today, they don a new visage, having been powerfully resurrected from the edge of disappearance.

3. Hue: Rising from the Scars of War and Weather

The Hue Monuments Conservation Center preserves archival photos that tell a somber story. They reveal a landscape of severe degradation and abandonment mere decades ago. The aftermath of war was particularly brutal; the unique architectural works within the Imperial City (Tu Cam Thanh) were heavily damaged by bombs and artillery. From over 130 original structures in the Imperial Citadel (Hoang Thanh), only 62 remained. The wider Citadel (Kinh Thanh) retained 97 structures, but all were in a state of serious disrepair, with bullet marks still deeply scarred into ancient stelae and the Nine Dynastic Urns—wounds visible even today.

Furthermore, Hue’s location makes it perpetually vulnerable to extreme weather. The great floods of 1953, Typhoon Cecil in 1985, and the historic flood of 1999 all took a devastating toll on these centuries-old monuments.

Immediately after national reunification, investment in conservation was extremely limited, forcing Hue’s heritage to face immense challenges and the very real risk of collapse.

4. My Son: A Lost City Rediscovered and Bombed

Journeying up the Thu Bon River to My Son, one finds a different kind of story. This sanctuary was formed from the late 4th century under King Bhadravarman I to worship the god Shiva. It served as the most important religious and cultural center of the Champa kingdoms for an astonishing nine centuries (from the 4th to the 13th century). However, when the Champa capital moved south in the 13th century, My Son gradually faded into obscurity, reclaimed by the jungle.

It was rediscovered by French archaeologists in the 19th century, who began studying its inscriptions. By the early 20th century, excavations had revealed 72 towers, temples, and related structures, which researchers cataloged into 14 groups labeled A through N. Tragically, in 1969, American B-52 bombing raids devastated the valley, severely damaging or destroying many of the towers, including the magnificent 24-meter-high A1 Tower, considered the masterpiece of Cham architecture at My Son.

Today, only about 20 damaged structures remain. The sanctuary faced another existential threat in the early 1980s when a local plan proposed damming the valley to create a reservoir for irrigation. Fortunately, this project was halted, saving My Son from being lost forever beneath the water.

5. Hoi An: Preserved by Vision and Fortune

Downriver at the mouth of the Thu Bon, Hoi An tells a tale of commercial prosperity and narrow salvation. Developed from the 16th century, it was one of Southeast Asia’s most bustling international trading ports, attracting merchants from China, Japan, the Netherlands, India, and Spain. This convergence of cultures is etched into its very architecture and intangible culture.

After 1975, the ancient town was preserved with over 1,100 architectural relics intact, including houses, bridges, wells, markets, and communal houses. However, it too went through a period of neglect and suspicion. At one point, many of its religious monuments risked destruction under the pretext of eradicating feudal culture.

6. A Model for Global Heritage Conservation

Having overcome immense challenges, these three World Heritage Sites have successfully transitioned from “emergency rescue” to a phase of stable development. They are now internationally acclaimed as models of heritage conservation.

Hoi An: A Community-Led Effort

Since its 1999 recognition, large-scale conservation programs have been implemented in Hoi An. Statistics show that from 2008 to the present, over 400 relics have been restored at a cost of approximately 150 billion VND, funded by both the state budget and community contributions. This effort has saved hundreds of ancient structures from collapse, preserving their original character across generations.

Hue: An International Rescue Mission

The conservation and promotion of Hue’s cultural heritage has now entered a stage of stable and sustainable development. UNESCO currently evaluates Hue as a leader in heritage conservation, with the potential to become a benchmark center for the transfer of conservation technology in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Complex of Hue Monuments, Vietnam’s first World Cultural Heritage site (1993), owes its survival to a crucial international intervention. In 1981, then UNESCO Director-General Amadou-Mahtar M’Bow issued an “Appeal for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Hue.” He emphasized that Hue’s heritage was in a state of peril, on the verge of destruction and oblivion, and that only urgent rescue efforts by the Vietnamese government and the international community could save it.

The Legacy of a Polish Architect: Kazimierz Kwiatkowski

The revival of all three sites bears the indelible mark of a Polish architect, Kazimierz Kwiatkowski (1944-1997), affectionately known as Kazik. A small park on Tran Phu Street in Hoi An features his bust, commemorating his enormous contributions to Vietnam’s cultural heritage.

From the early 1980s, Kazik worked in Vietnam under a bilateral government program to research and restore the ancient Cham towers at My Son. His keen eye soon recognized the outstanding universal value of both Hoi An Ancient Town and the Hue Monument Complex. He tirelessly lobbied local authorities to preserve these unique architectural sites and worked fervently to introduce them to the world.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Head of the Conservation-Museum Department of the My Son Heritage Management Board, architect Kazik and his colleagues played a major role in restoring My Son’s appearance from rubble, shoring up ancient towers from collapse, and laying the foundation for all subsequent restoration phases.

7. Traveler’s Guide: Visiting the Heritage Sites

Hue Imperial City

Allow a full day. Explore the vast Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, and the various royal tombs scattered along the Perfume River. Hire a guide to understand the deep historical significance and symbolism behind the architecture. The annual Hue Festival is a magnificent time to visit, featuring cultural performances and events.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Best experienced in the late afternoon and evening. Wander through the lantern-lit streets, visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient merchant houses, and vibrant markets. Take a boat ride on the river, and don’t miss the opportunity to have traditional clothing tailor-made. The town is exceptionally charming during the monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival.

My Son Sanctuary

A half-day trip from Hoi An or Da Nang. Visit early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds. While the scale of ruins is smaller than Angkor Wat, the setting in a lush valley is dramatic. The onsite museum provides excellent context. Appreciate the intricate brickwork and imagine the site’s former grandeur as a spiritual capital.