A Heritage Space Illuminated by the Dialogue between Tradition and Creativity
One of the highlights of the program was the themed tour “Journey of Experience - Touching the Heritage,” which offered visitors immersive encounters with Hội An’s cultural values. Through stories of traditional crafts, villages, and generations of skilled artisans, the heritage space was brought vividly to life. Visitors were invited to engage directly with these traditions in an authentic yet refined manner, from the ceramic heritage of Thanh Hà, the woodworking traditions of Kim Bồng, to the distinctive local products deeply rooted in the daily life of the ancient town. Alongside this, a series of Japanese cultural activities further enriched international cultural exchange - an enduring hallmark of Hội An’s identity. These activities evoked the memory of Hội An as a historic international trading port while reflecting its contemporary spirit of openness, creativity, and cultural dialogue.
Heritage Interpreted through Academic Discourse and Contemporary Expression
Exhibitions showcasing heritage imagery and the introduction of scholarly publications such as “Hội An Gazetteer - Ecology Volume” and “Architectural Heritage of Hội An Ancient Town” provided audiences with a more systematic and in-depth understanding of the heritage site. They underscored how every ancient brick, yin-yang tiled roof, riverway, and way of life represents a cultural layer contributing to Hội An’s outstanding value today. In parallel, thematic conferences and the official recognition of the Faifo Prison Historical Site at the city level strengthened public awareness of Hội An’s historical depth and collective memory - an essential component of its comprehensive heritage narrative.
Bài Chòi and the Vitality of Living Heritage in the Ancient Town
The series concluded with the art exchange night “Millennial Echoes of Bài Chòi Rhythms”, where the sounds of folk performance blended harmoniously with the lantern-lit atmosphere of the ancient town. More than a reenactment of a UNESCO-recognized heritage, the event affirmed the enduring vitality of Bài Chòi in community life, especially through the growing engagement of younger generations who are actively embracing and carrying forward this unique art form.
Heritage as a Driving Force - Creativity as the Future
The commemorative activities not only created a vibrant cultural panorama but also reflected Hội An’s long-term development approach, in which heritage serves as a foundation for creativity and sustainable growth. Cultural heritage is viewed as a development resource; creativity becomes a means of renewing traditional values; and the community remains at the heart of all initiatives. Through the active participation of residents, visitors, and especially young people, traditional cultural values are being reinterpreted in contemporary language - accessible, inspiring, and closely connected to everyday life. In doing so, Hội An continues to honor its past while opening new pathways toward a sustainable cultural future.