Training

Vocational Training Centre for conservation of Cultural Heritage, Vietnam, Tam Ky.

Over the past few decades, the tourism industry has developed remarkably in Vietnam, in general, and in Quang Nam Province, in particular. The touristic boom in Quang Nam Province has been driven especially by Hoi An ancient town and My Son archaeological site, which were recognized World Heritage by the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Concentrating on these two heritage sites acknowledged by UNESCO, the Government of Vietnam together with the People's Committee of Quang Nam Province have taken a number of important steps to improve local economic conditions focusing on the development of the tourism industry. In addition to the two aforementioned heritage sites, however, Quang Nam Province has also other legacies (belonging to Cham culture and other cultures) that have a wide potential for tourism – such as: Tra Kieu, Khuong My, Chiem Son, Bang An, Chien Dan, etc.

Lesson of Dr. Mauro Cucarzi.

Lesson of Dr. Patrizia Zolese.

Nevertheless, the poor conservation status of these less popular heritage sites does not allow attracting tourists. In addition, also the touristic development of the other more successful sites in the Province lacks a long-term and sustainable approach. One of the main causes – mentioned several times by UNESCO as well as by other Ministry lines, such as the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism – has been identified in the lack of professional resources that can handle and monitor the restoration, conservation, preservation and management of the sites.

Therefore, there is urgent need to develop qualified local human resources in restoration, conservation, preservation and management of archaeological and cultural sites. This situation has been addressed by the project of Lerici Foundation, Politecnico di Milano, Ministry of Culture of Vietnam and Quang Nam Province establishing a specialised vocational training centre in Tam Ky city (the Vocational Training Centre for Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage) that provided high-quality training courses and fill the gap of skilled labour, suffered by the institutions in charge of archaeological monuments.

Restoration lesson inside the store room of My Son.