Ha Noi unveils cultural heritage list for protection
VGP - Ha Noi has announced an extensive list of cultural heritage assets targeted for preservation, aiming to safeguard its cultural values and boost sustainable tourism.
Khue Van Cac, also known as the Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature, is a prominent architectural structure within the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) in Ha Noi.
The city identified six UNESCO-inscribed cultural heritage items, 42 nationally recognized intangible heritage elements, 182 craft villages, 54 traditional craft villages, and seven exemplary traditional crafts for protection efforts.
According to Resolution No. 24/NQ-HDND issued by the Ha Noi People's Council, dated April 29, 2025, the city classified numerous heritage sites and relics into groups for tailored preservation strategies. These include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, 22 special national relics, 1,164 national relics, and 1,600 city-level relic sites. Additionally, 46 revolutionary and resistance sites, 354 historical memorials, and 34 national artifacts are listed.
In the Old Quarter, key urban areas and iconic streets are prioritized for protection. Twenty-one streets, covering about 19 hectares, fall under Level 1 protection, while 40 streets, spanning approximately 81 hectares, are designated Level 2.
Architectural heritage is a key focus, with the city cataloging 222 Group 1 villas and 356 Group 2 villas built before 1954 — the year of the capital's liberation. Group 1 villas are recognized as historical and cultural monuments, architecturally exemplary buildings, or valuable old houses. Group 2 includes villas of artistic, cultural, and historical significance. Ha Noi also lists 40 public buildings and 21 notable structures from the same period for preservation.
Sixteen street segments known for architecturally significant villas and 11 segments in the Old Quarter are also part of the preservation initiative.
The Ha Noi People's Committee will lead the implementation, including public awareness campaigns, resource mobilization, and regular updates to the list — especially as administrative units are reorganized and the city adopts a two-tier government model.
The Ha Noi People's Council will supervise the implementation, while the Viet Nam Fatherland Front and other socio-political organizations are encouraged to engage communities and monitor progress.
The six UNESCO-inscribed cultural heritage items in Ha Noi are:
The Central Sector of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel The 82 Doctoral Steles of the Le and Mac Dynasties at the Temple of Literature The Giong Festival at Phu Dong and Soc Temples The Tugging Ritual and Games Practices related to Vietnamese beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms Ca Tru (ceremonial singing)./.
