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The Trang An Tourism Complex in the northern province of Ninh
Binh has great historical and geological value, experts declared at an
international workshop held here yesterday, July 24.
Through their reports on recent archaeological excavations and geological
research, speakers at the workshop said the site had special natural beauty and
geological features while featuring heritage that helps paint a picture of how
humans lived in ancient times.
The workshop aims to build a scientific file on the historical and geological
value of the site to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a mixed natural and
cultural heritage site title.
According to Prof Paul Dingwall from the International Union for Conservation of
Nature at UNESCO, the important thing was to prove that the distinguished value
of site involved its scenery and environment. However, it was also necessary to
show evidences that the site had experienced a complex process of geological
development, he added.
Trang An was the site of Hoa Lu, the country's capital more than ten centuries
ago, which should be mentioned in the file, Dingwall stressed.
Prof Richard Engelhardt from UNESCO's International Council on Monuments and
Sites agreed that the file should mention that early communities living at the
site had adapted well to the local environment during the most severe weather
conditions.
It is a must to connect all the evidences to build a persuasive file, he said.
Pham Cao Phong, secretary general of the Viet Nam National Committee for UNESCO,
said the country had no officially recognised heritage site in terms of
archaeology.
"The Trang An Tourism Complex is the first ever to be submitted to seek a mixed
title," he said.
Dubbed "Ha Long Bay on land", the site covers an area of 10,000ha, including the
three areas of the Trang An Ecological Site, Tam Coc-Bich Dong Site and Former
Hoa Lu Former Capital Area. The region is scattered with karst topography such
as limestone mountains, caves and lakes.
The site is home to diverse fauna and flora with 500 kinds of flora, 73 kinds of
birds, 41 kinds of other animals. Scientists found traces of early people dating
back 5,000-30,000 years ago in the nearby Boi and Trong caves.
Bui Van Thang, chairman of local People's Committee, confirmed that in the near
future, the province would focus on preservation, restoration and effective
exploitation of natural resources for tourism, which is a sustainable way of
economic development.
The scientific file will be completed by September next year 2013 before being
submitted to the UN cultural body together with a file on the Cat Ba Archipelago
(for the title of Natural Heritage Site). The final result will be announced in
2014.
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Source: VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News |
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