Workshop "Cities of the Future and Heritage Preservation" opens

PSNews - The Embassy of Italy in Hanoi in collaboration with the Hanoi Municipal People's Committee and SCE Project Asia, IUAV of Venice held a workshop named "Cities of the future and heritage preservation" on March 20, at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. 

Attending the event were H.E Antonio Alessandro, Ambassador of Italy to Vietnam; Mr. Michael Croft, UNESCO Vietnam Director; Mr. Michele De Lucchi, Ambassador of Italian design to Vietnam 2019 and over 300 domestic and foreign architect experts. 

Hanoi, as well as many other Asian realities, is facing more and more the challenge to combine the dynamic urban development with the maintenance of its strong cultural identity. 

H.E Antonio Alessandro delivering the opening speech.
H.E Antonio Alessandro delivering the opening speech. 

Over the past few years, thanks to the growing internationalisation of this country, the debate about the conservation of the historical heritage has been the main point within the local institutions’ agenda. Hanoi authorities started to plan new approaches and such a relevant topic for a “smart” development of the Vietnamese capital. 

Speaking at the event, H.E Antonio Alessandro said that,  as part of the 3rd Italian Design Day across the world, the workshop "Cities of the future and heritage preservation" created favourable conditions for Italian and Vietnamese experts to share experience and to present the latest update making the conservation of the historical heritage available to the general public.

Mr. Michele De Lucchi, Ambassador of Italian design to Vietnam 2019 presenting his study on cities of the future.
Mr. Michele De Lucchi, Ambassador of Italian design to Vietnam 2019 presenting his study on cities of the future. 

This meeting focused on a common thought about nature and future of the Hanoi old quarter, through an architectural exercise based on the analysis of one of its most iconic site - Hoan Kiem lake.

The event in Hanoi is part of an ambitious programme, which will touch the most important cities in South-East Asia. The first meeting was held in Burma on September 2018. After Yangon and Hanoi, SCE Projest ASIA will organize a third appointment in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, on October 2019. 

The long-term aim from Mr. Luigi Campanale (CEO of SCE Project Asia) is to “institutionalise” and extend this appointment to all the main Asian cities, by starting collaborations with institutions and private foundations.

On March 21, there will be a closed-door symposium dedicated to private and institutional investors, where thematics regarding the “economic benefits” that come from conservation and reusing of historical goods will be discussed. The event will take place at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, one of the most famous “cases of success” regarding adaptive reuse of a historical building in Vietnam.

By Linh Bui

Other News

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.