Ninh Binh’s delegation pays working visit to Japan

On November 10, the delegation attended the conference in Himeji city, Hyogo prefecture. The event brought together more than 150 delegates, including leaders and representatives from 24 historical cities worldwide, as well as international organisations, cultural heritage experts and researchers.

Discussions at thematic sessions and forums focused on initiatives and solutions to protect cultural heritage from natural disasters, climate change, environmental challenges and human-induced threats.

Participants also shared experience in developing integrated heritage ecosystems that connect heritage sites with local communities, knowledge, cultural values, livelihoods, tourism and environmental protection. These approaches aim to preserve and promote cultural heritage for future generations, foster mutual understanding of different countries' histories and cultures, strengthen international cooperation and contribute to a peaceful and sustainable society.

At the conference, the Ninh Binh delegation expressed its interest in exchanging experience with other historical cities, particularly Himeji, and Japanese experts in four key areas: disaster preparedness and heritage protection; integrating heritage conservation with environmental protection and destination management; developing heritage education programmes for younger generations through virtual reality technology and communication tools; and expanding cooperation in professional training and the transfer of restoration, conservation and preventive preservation techniques among historical cities and specialised research institutions.

On the sidelines of the conference, Son met with leaders of Kyoto prefecture to introduce Ninh Binh and promote the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, while highlighting the province's cultural heritage and tourism potential.

On November 11, the delegation visited and held a working session with the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, one of Japan's leading institutions specialising in the research, excavation and conservation of ancient cultural heritage.

Welcoming the delegation, the institute's Director, Makoto Motonaka, congratulated Ninh Binh on its achievements in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. He particularly highlighted the recent inscription of the Non Nuoc Mountain Inscriptions in Ninh Binh on the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) Regional Register.

Speaking at the meeting, Son stressed that preserving and promoting cultural heritage is an important component of Ninh Binh's socio-economic development strategy.

He said the institute's professional expertise and research achievements provided valuable references for the province to study and apply in line with local conditions.

Son expressed his hope that the institute would continue to support and cooperate with Ninh Binh in four key areas, including expanding academic exchanges; facilitating the transfer of advanced conservation and archaeological technologies; providing professional training and developing human resources; and collaborating on research, conservation and heritage promotion projects, particularly those concerning the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

The delegation subsequently conducted field surveys of cultural and historical heritage conservation models in Nara, visiting Heijo Palace and Todaiji Temple.

The visits provided an opportunity for the delegation and the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties to exchange experience in heritage conservation and restoration, as well as cultural development linked to tourism. The delegation also explored restoration techniques and preventive conservation practices for national treasures, artworks and historic architectural structures./.