Cultural experts talk about the need and challenges of preserving ancient villages in Vietnam.
Long Chau Village
Pham Thi Lan Anh, from the Hanoi Office of Cultural Heritage Management, said more and more projects have been designed and built in Hanoi. While in older times, several generations might have lived on the same plot together in one house, now they live in different houses.
Ta Quoc Khanh, from the Institute of Relic Preservation, said "Many village gates have already been destroyed. Some villages build new gates, but there's something off about these gates," he said.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Do Hanh, another architect from the Institute of Relic Preservation, said "The lake is one of the typical features of ancient villages. The villages near West Lake once had a very complicated lake and river system but it has been clogged with pollution."
Gate at Huu Hoa Commune
Currently, 60 villages in Hanoi have been chosen and await consideration for being considered ancient villages. However, urbanisation is a factor looming large against those trying to protect old architecture and traditions.
According to architect, Pham Dinh Viet, villagers have an important role to play because they own the buildings and potentially profit from them. The owners would also be responsible for upkeep. He said, "The government's role should only be as a guide."
On the other hand, many others think that the government needs to create new regulations that address the issue of protecting cultural relics and their owners.
