The event reaffirmed Vietnam’s proactive role in global cultural cooperation and its commitment to safeguarding heritage while fostering sustainable cultural industries.

It was part of activities marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary (1945–2025) and preparing for the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership (1976–2026), attracting experts, scholars, managers and businesses from across the world.

At the event, Lianggeng Dong from the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (WFUCA) Secretariat delivered a message from WFUCA President Bolat Akchulakov praising Vietnam as one of its most dynamic and dedicated members, citing Vietnamese initiatives as models of creativity and commitment. He highlighted the conference’s role in strengthening international cooperation for heritage preservation, creating momentum for innovation and sustainable development.

VFUA Permanent Vice President and Secretary General Tran Van Manh, also Vice President of the Asia–Pacific Federation of UNESCO Associations, underscored the Ha Long Declaration as the event’s “guiding light.”

The declaration calls for protecting heritage as a common asset of humankind, celebrating cultural diversity for peace and development, fostering sustainable creative industries, and promoting cross-border exchanges.

Delegates debated urgent issues such as UNESCO’s role in safeguarding heritage amid urbanisation and climate change; digital transformation through AI, big data and augmented reality; developing creative industries from handicrafts to digital content via education reform and public–private partnerships; and protecting intangible heritage in under-resourced communities.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents in Paris, Dinh Duc Hoang, Deputy General Director of the UNESCO Information Centre, said the conference drew global experts, the Vietnamese diaspora and international businesses.

With 4,000 years of history, he noted, Vietnam has valuable lessons - both painful and proud - in heritage protection that can benefit partners.

A cultural highlight at the event was an Ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) collection named "Lua" (rice) by designer Le Thanh Danh, presented by the Vietnam Women’s Association in Europe. Using traditional silk with golden rice motifs and stylised conical hats, the collection evoked simplicity and Vietnamese identity.

VFUA also honoured organisations and individuals for contributions to heritage and cultural industries, recognising those who “choose action over indifference, innovation over passivity, and responsibility over nostalgia.”

Nguyen Tien Thanh, General Director of the Vietnam Education Publishing House, said the conference posed an urgent question - how to reconcile heritage and development in the digital age, when culture must also function as an industry while retaining sustainable values.

Alongside discussions, participants joined field visits to European world heritage sites, cultural exchanges and ceremonies honouring conservation and creative industry achievements, further promoting UNESCO’s values of peace, creativity and sustainable development.

PM attends ceremony announcing Vietnam's 9th UNESCO world cultural heritage site

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a ceremony at the Yen Tu Historical and Scenic Relic Site in the northern province of Quang Ninh on August 17 to mark the official recognition of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.