Preserving Ho Citadel via photos and films
People residing in the vicinity of the Citadel of the Ho dynasty in Thanh Hoa Province will be given cameras and taught photographic and filmmaking skills to create their own images depicting life around the World Heritage site.
The project, Building and Displaying in the Vicinity of the Ho Dynasty Citadel using Photovoice Methods, runs from June through the end of December. Using Photovoice, a technique of telling stories by displaying images, the project is also meant to raise the awareness of local people and encourage them to take an active part in preserving the country's cultural heritage.
Initially, eight households in Vinh Tien and Vinh Long communes in Vinh Loc District will benefit from the project, which is part of a large-scale project to revitalise World Heritage site museums in Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam, jointly operated by UNESCO and the Japan Funds-in-Trust.
According to an official from UNESCO Viet Nam, the project, undertaken for the first time, seeks to study and learn about stories, thoughts and the hopes of local communities in relation to the conservation and preservation of heritage sites.
It was recognised as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO on June 27, 2011. According to experts the structure represents an outstanding example of a new style of construction for a Southeast Asian imperial city.
However, a recent report revealed that local authorities and the site managers are facing several difficulties in the preservation process.
While the Law on Cultural Heritage and the site's management regulations stipulate that the core area must be strictly protected, some houses in the area have built, and even upgraded their homes.
