Duong Lam ancient village presented UNESCO award

Duong Lam ancient village was presented with the award of merit of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in Hanoi on February 18.

Addressing the award ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien spoke highly of the project to preserve Duong Lam village, which has contributed to improving living conditions for local people.

Katherine Muller Marin, Head of the UNESCO office in Hanoi, said the successful conservation of five buildings under the project has brought back the real appearance of Duong Lam village, ensuring that the structures are regularly maintained by the artisans.

This is the fifth conservation project in Vietnam to receive the UNESCO award, she said, expressing her hope that it will be a source of inspiration for more similar projects in the country in the coming time.

The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation was initiated in 2000 to recognise the efforts of individuals and organisations in heritage restoration and preservation.

Together with Duong Lam village, the awards have been presented to other preservation projects in Vietnam, including the lost bomb shelter at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel Hanoi (in 2013), Hoi An ancient town (2000), Tang family chapel (2009) and ancient Viet house (2004).