Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh is a heritage site famous for its remarkable biodiversity and archaeological heritage. It serves as evidence of Vietnam's historical and cultural identity, as well as its harmonious relations with nature.
However, like many other World Heritage sites, Trang An has faced many challenges in preserving its outstanding universal values while taking full advantage of its economic potential for the long-term benefit of the community and future generations. The economic value of the heritage is defined as the key to address these challenges. Therefore, the results of the project on assessing the economic value of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex have been published to provide a scientific basis for Ninh Binh to establish strategies for developing heritage economy, tourism economy, and creative economy.
Economic value of 213 billion USD
With a complete set of criteria on culture, aesthetic beauty, and geology with outstanding global values, in 2014, Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized by the UNESCO as a world cultural and natural heritage site. It became the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to be recognized by UNESCO.
The unique beauty of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex attracts domestic and foreign tourists.
If Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is compared to a painting, it is a masterpiece created by nature over millions of years with majestic limestone mountain ranges, winding rivers like soft silk ribbons and mysterious caves. Apart from its beautiful scenery, Trang An is also steeped in the history of an ancient capital. With its natural beauty, historical value, and huge economic potential, Trang An is not only a bright pearl in the Southern skies, but also holds priceless values in history, culture, and economics.
According to Pham Quang Ngoc, Chairman of the Ninh Binh provincial People’s Committee, in the future, the province will benefit from the heritage and strive to research and deeply understand the complete value chain of the heritage.
The implementation of the project aims to establish a scientific and practical foundation for studying the economic and brand values of the World Heritage sites in Vietnam, gradually building a scientific and practical basis for researching the economic and brand values of these sites.
The project on assessing the economic value of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was published in October 2024, carried out by Vietnamese and international experts to ensure scientific and international accuracy. Accordingly, the total economic and brand value of Trang An in the 2024-2025 evaluation period has been determined at 213 billion USD. This figure was measured based on 10 core value groups, which are: entertainment; karst landscape system; biodiversity; archaeology; Trang An special-use forest; cultural values of temples and pagodas; festival cultural values; cultural values of folk performance; residential land value with significant impact from the heritage in its core area; and residential land value with impact from the heritage in the buffer zone.
Balance between preservation and development
The assessment of the economic value of a heritage site is not only about numbers and a tool but also provides the scientific and practical foundation to develop orientations and strategies for sustainable socio-economic development, solving people's livelihoods, and ensuring harmony between conservation and development.
Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, said that the project on assessing the economic value of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex helps accurately measure the economic value of Trang An and contributes to the global discussion on integrating heritage preservation with sustainable development.
“The path ahead for Trang An, as well as all heritage sites, seeks a balance between conservation and development, depending on sustainable research, inclusive policy innovation, and the shared commitment of all those working towards the heritage’s future,” emphasized the UNESCO Representative in Vietnam.
Translated by Quynh Oanh
