Hanoi's northern district revives cultural space for tourism growth

Dong Anh District, the place is home to Co Loa Ancient Citadel – the biggest citadel in Vietnam, is rich in cultural heritage, which is carefully preserved for tourism development.

The district is famous for Co Loa Citadel, Cao Lo Temple, and Nam Hong Tunnels, among others. Tourists are also fascinated by unique traditional festivals such as Co Loa Festival, An Duong Vuong Temple Festival, Sai Temple Festival, and cultural attractions such as the Dao Thuc Water Puppet Show and Cheo Singing (traditional operetta).

Chairman of Dong Anh District People's Committee Nguyen Anh Dung said that there are 413 historical and religious relics in the district, including one special national relic (Co Loa Citadel), 64 national-level relics, and 70 city-level relics.

Co Loa relic site in Dong Anh District preserves many historical artifacts. Photo: Cong Hung/The Hanoi Times

The 134 cultural relics of national significance in the district are expected to catapult Dong Anh's tourism. In addition, Dong Anh has a wealth of intangible heritage, including historical relics and traditional festivals, as well as handicraft villages. This provides great opportunities for Hanoi's socio-economic development.

"Dong Anh has many traditional heritage elements, such as handicraft villages, festivals, and cultural and artistic activities related to the rice civilization. Local authorities are well aware that tourism development must be linked to traditional heritage, preserving and promoting its values," Dung said.

Throughout history, the tangible and intangible cultural heritage values in the district have always been preserved and handed down from generation to generation.

"These are great potentials and advantages for tourism development. The local tourism industry is taking gradual but robust steps to turn the district into an attractive and friendly destination, contributing to socio-economic development," the chairman emphasized.

He added that the district People's Committee has completed the book "Dong Anh Cultural Heritage" for tourists; preserved and promoted the value of intangible cultural heritage and outstanding cultural relics such as Co Loa Citadel and Sai Temple.

Co Loa Citadel Festival is the highlight of tourism in Dong Anh District. Photo: Lai Tan/The Hanoi Times

"In promoting cultural assets, we focus on building cultural and historical tourism itineraries, applying digital technology for promoting cultural tourism, especially building infrastructure and training personnel for developing cultural and historical tourism," Dung said.

Dr. Tran Duc Cuong, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, said the key to tourism development is the quality of tourism services, which depends heavily on human resources.

Cuong told The Hanoi Times, "I think that in order to help people improve their skills and knowledge in the tourism industry, Dong Anh District needs to organize training programs combined with hands-on experience".

He emphasized that tourism always plays a key role in presenting cultural and natural resources to visitors, and serves as an important bridge between the past and the present.