Hoi An Ancient Town faces preservation challenges amid resident decline

A recent workshop in Da Nang focused on the sustainable development of Hoi An Ancient Town, a World Cultural Heritage site. Experts and managers discussed the urgent need to balance tourism growth with heritage preservation.

Significant challenges facing the site include overcrowding, environmental pressure, and the impacts of climate change. A critical concern raised is the shifting demographic and ownership structure within the core heritage area. Reports indicate that by 2023, the resident population had dropped to just over 3,000 people. Approximately 40% of original Hoi An residents have moved away, while about 30% of property owners in the core zone are now from other major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

UNESCO representatives and cultural researchers warned that the trend of residents renting out their ancestral homes for commercial use is leading to a loss of authenticity and a phenomenon of “cultural hollowing.” To address this, experts propose a strategic shift from quantity-based tourism to high-quality, sustainable models that prioritize the local community as the central subject of heritage preservation.