Vietnam has a number of industrial heritages, including physical remains of manufacturing and mining sites and old factories such as Tran Hung Dao Mechanical Factory, Gia Lam Train Factory, Hanoi Brewery, Dong Xuan Knitting Company, and Ba Son Shipyard Factory. The industrial heritage is not only home to historical artifacts but also holds value regarding architecture, history, culture, and memory.
A corner of Complex 01, which is refurbished from an old factory in Tay Son Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi. (Photo: Complex 01)
However, facts have revealed that today’s youth show less attention and connection to the country’s tradition and heritage. Therefore, considerable efforts have been made to strengthen the connection between young people and heritage in order to promote their role in preserving and upholding its value.
Accordingly, many industrial heritages have been transformed into cultural and creative spaces, which is considered as an effective solution to increase the connection between young people and heritage.
Several successful transformation projects include Complex 01, the 282 Design Workshop, and the French Cultural Institute in Hanoi, which were all refurbished from old factories.
These projects succeed in converting old buildings into multi-functional space complexes with unique architecture and many attractive entertainment activities, thus meeting the demand for entertainment while serving as meeting venues for people, particularly the youth.
It can be seen that this transformation makes young people become those who benefit most from industrial heritage, thus increasing their interest in heritage and raising their awareness and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting its vitality.
Notably, these transformation projects were carried out by young people, who promoted their creative thinking and had an aspiration to preserve the values of industrial heritage as part of an unforgettable memory.
It would be a real pity if we replace industrial heritage with high-rise buildings and megacities, as it would not only eliminate factories and workshops but also remove the memories of the workers and the people who once lived and worked there.
Many industrial heritages in European countries have been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Germany; the City Of Potosi, which is a hub for silver mining in Bolivia; Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpetre Works in Chile.
Thus, it is necessary to make further efforts, create more favourable policies and legal framework in order to transform industrial heritages into creative cultural spaces, where young people are connected with heritage and where memories are kept alive.
It is hoped that in the coming time, transformation models of industrial heritage in Vietnam will gain UNESCO recognition as world cultural heritages, contributing to promoting the image of the country and its people to international friends.
