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Complex of Hué Monuments

Viet Nam
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
  • Ground transport infrastructure
  • Housing
  • Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Storms
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Termites invasion (issue resolved)
  • Fire at the property (issue resolved)
  • Increasing urbanization 
  • Impact of road upgrading
  • Rapid tourism development 
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Requests approved: 4 (from 1994-1997)
Total amount approved : 175,500 USD
Missions to the property until 1997**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997
The Bureau at its twentieth extraordinary session made specific recommendations to the Vietnamese authorities on the management and conservation of the site. In view of continued incidents of illegal constructions in the buffer zones, the Secretariat assisted the Government by mobilizing international support to redress this situation.
A decentralized co-operation project with the City and Province of Hué, the City of Lille (France) and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre is in preparation. The first phase of the project will include the evaluation of the building regulations and the establishment of a Heritage House within the provincial urban planning office as an advisory service for the local population and investors.
The Hué Monuments Conservation Centre reported to the Secretariat that a typhoon which hit central Vietnam caused extensive damage to the historic buildings within the core monument zone, and that an emergency request was being prepared.

Action Required
The Bureau recommended the Committee to adopt the following:

"The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat concerning damage caused by the 24 September 1997 typhoon to the historic buildings of Hué; and of continued building violations in the buffer zones which may undermine the integrity of this site. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the agreement for decentralized co-operation between the Province of Hué, the City of Lille and UNESCO, which should enable a thorough review of the land-use and building regulations of the protected area and the buffer zones of the site and the establishment of the Heritage House - an advisory service for the local population attached to the provincial urban planning office. The Committee requests the Government to submit to the twenty-second session of the Committee, a written report on the options being considered for the upgrading and construction of roads affecting Hué, and on measures being undertaken to stop building violations. The Committee also requests the Government to provide the Secretariat with a technical report on the impact of the typhoon on the site."

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1997

The Committee at its twentieth session endorsed the recommendation of the Bureau, calling upon the Vietnamese authorities to re-evaluate the land-use and building regulations concerning the site’s protected area and its buffer zones 2 & 3, and to strengthen its inter-ministerial co-ordination to ensure that the infrastructural development projects do not undermine the World Heritage value of the site. The Bureau, furthermore, requested the Government to continue collaboration with the Governments of France and Japan, the main donors of the road construction projects, to reflect on the safeguarding needs of the site within the context of the regional development scheme. The Secretariat has not received any report from the Government in regard to the above.

In view of continued incidents of illegal constructions in the buffer zones and in pursuant to the request of the Bureau, the Secretariat assisted the Government by mobilizing international support to redress this situation. This led to the development of a decentralized co-operation project with the City and Province of Hué, the City of Lille (France) and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. A project agreement is scheduled to be signed in November 1997. The first phase of the project to evaluate the building regulations and the establishment of a Heritage House within the local urban planning office as an advisory service for the local population and investors, has been funded by the French Government and the City of Lille itself. This co-operation between the two local authorities will bring technical input to the safeguarding effort, and should lead to the strengthening of civic society in Hue through the involvement of local population in the conservation process.

The Hué Monuments Conservation Centre reported to the Secretariat that a typhoon which hit central Vietnam caused extensive damage to the historic buildings within the core monument zone, and that an emergency request is being prepared. To date, the Secretariat has not yet received a report on the damage nor the request.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 EXT.BUR V.3
Requests for International Assistance

NATURAL HERITAGE

TRAINING

Cameroon (Sub regional workshop on strengthening biodiversity conservation at the Dja Faunal Reserve) - US$ 29,900

The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 29,900.

The Bureau requested the State Party to cooperate with IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to:
(i) revise the workshop programme to include themes and issues identified in the state of conservation report on Dja;
(ii) indicate the amount of national contribution provided by the State Party;
(iii) schedule the workshop at a time to allow for better planning; and
(iv) invite the participation of bilateral donors who are financing commercial and sustainable forestry projects in the forests surrounding the site.

Philippines (Training of a core-group of personnel on human scientific dimensions of managing Tubataha Reef as a natural World Heritage site) - US$ 30,000

The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000.

Russian Federation (Training workshop for natural heritage site managers from Central and Eastern Europe and Russian Central Asia) - US$ 30,000

The Bureau decided to defer the consideration of this request as the workshop had been delayed until the summer of 1999.
The Bureau requested the State Party to cooperate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a revised proposal for consideration at the Bureau's 22nd ordinary session.

Tanzania (Support for 3 fellowships for African specialists in Protected Area/Wildlife Management to the Mweka College of African Wildlife Management for the Academic Year of 1998/99) - US$ 30,000

The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000.

The Bureau urged IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to cooperate with Mweka and other regional training centres to review their curricula and propose measures for enhancing use of information for World Heritage site management.

India (Meeting of regional training centres and university training institutes for curricula and training materials development, Wildlife Institute of India) - US$ 41,000

The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$ 30,000.

The Bureau requested the State Party to consider bearing the costs of the participation of Indian natural World Heritage site managers and specialists.

TECHNICAL COOPERATION

Dominica (Revision of the Management Plan for Morne Trois Pitons National Park) - US$ 13,900

For approval by the Chairperson, subject to the inscription of this site on the World Heritage List by the Committee at its twenty-first session, and payment of dues by the State Party to the World Heritage Fund.
The Bureau encourages the State Party to use national expertise for revising the management plan.

Niger (Purchase of Equipment for W National Park) - US$ 75,000

The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$ 50,000 and request the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO's equipment unit and the State Party to purchase the needed equipment through competitive bidding and in the most cost-effective manner.

The Bureau suggested that the Committee decide that the funds should not be used for maintenance of vehicles and request the State Party to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre for submitting a progress report on project implementation, to enable the Bureau, at its 22nd ordinary session, to determine whether additional funds are needed.

India (Strengthening Protection of Kaziranga National Park) - US$ 50,000

The Bureau took note of its recommendation made at its 21st ordinary session to the Committee, that the Committee approve this request.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

India (Contribution towards the implementation of an Emergency rehabilitation plan for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary) - US$ 160,000

The Bureau recommended that the Committee approves a supplementary allocation of US$ 90,000 for emergency assistance to cover: purchase of an additional 2 wooden fiber boats (US$ 50,000) and 400 patrolling gears (US$ 15,000), and contribution towards the construction of buildings within the site (US$ 70,000).

Democratic Republic of the Congo (Purchase of vehicles for 4 World Heritage Sites) - US$ 88,400

The Bureau, while fully recognising the need for vehicles for each of the four sites, expressed concerns over the current security situation in the eastern parts of the country and its impact on safe delivery, propser unse and maintenance of the vehicles.

Hence, the Bureau recommended that the Committee, as a first step, approves a sum of US$ 45,000 for 2 vehicles (of the US$ 90,000 requested for 4 vehicles) for any two of the four sites under consideration and request the State Party to cooperate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a progress report on project implementation to the Bureau's 22nd session.

In addition, the Bureau suggested that the Committee request the World Heritage Centre to cooperate with conservation NGOs to ensure the safe delivery and proper use and maintenance of the vehicles.

CULTURAL HERITAGE

TRAINING

Laos (Training programme for the Historic Town of Luang Prabang) - US$ 25,000

The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 25,000.

Philippines (Training to enhance the management of the Baroque Churches) - US$ 22,000

The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 22,000.

Russian Federation (Training workshop for staff and specialists in the fields of designation, protection, management and rehabilitation of Cultural World Heritage Sites in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia) - US$ 29,800

The Bureau did not approve this request. Detailed information on the use of the funds had not been provided by the State Party.

The Bureau decided that it will not consider any International Assistance requests submitted by States Parties without a detailed budget breakdown in the future.

Austria (Training Course for the examination and Conservation of Architectural Surfaces) - US$ 35,000

Transmitted directly to the Committee.

Brazil (Inter-regional postgraduate course on the conservation of Monuments and Rehabilitation of Historic Cities) - US$ 50,000

Transmitted directly to the Committee.

Ghana (Ashanti Traditional Buildings) - US$ 47,000

Transmitted directly to the Committee.

ICCROM (Development of a training strategy and procedural framework) - US$ 50,000

Transmitted directly to the Committee.

TECHNICAL COOPERATION

China (Research project for the protection of the Terracotta Warriors and Horse Pits of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor) - US$ 30,000

Chinese authorities will provide further information concerning this request. Therefore, the Bureau decided to consider this request at its twenty-second session.

Nepal (Studies on traditional architecture, construction and conservation technique, documenting Bhaktapur Monument zone building) - US$ 28,000

The Bureau approved this request on the condition that the State Party pays its contributions to the World Heritage Fund for 1997.
Furthermore, the Bureau requested the State Party to submit the results of this activity to the Bureau and stressed the importance of documentation for protecting World Heritage sites.

ICCROM (Technical Assistance Programme - TAP) - US$ 25,000

The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 25,000.

Vietnam (Revision of urban planning regulations of the Complex of Hué) - US$ 35,000

Transmitted directly to the Committee.

Zimbabwe (Preparation for a conservation plan for Khami Ruins National Monuments) - US$ 76,900

Transmitted directly to the Committee.

Mexico (Special course on the World Heritage Convention for Latin America and the Carribean) - US$ 30,000

The Bureau took note of its recommendation made at its 21st ordinary session to the Committee.

21 COM VII.C.54
SOC: Complex of Hué Monuments (Vietnam)

VII.54 Complex of Hué Monuments (Vietnam)

The Committee took note of the information provided by the Secretariat concerning damage caused by the 24 September 1997 typhoon to the historic buildings of Hué; and of continued building violations in the buffer zones which may undermine the integrity of this site. The Committee expressed its appreciation for the agreement for decentralized co-operation between the Province of Hué, the City of Lille and UNESCO, which should enable a thorough review of the land-use and building regulations of the protected area and the buffer zones of the site and the establishment of the Heritage House - an advisory service for the local population attached to the provincial municipal urban planning office. The Committee requested the Government to submit to the twenty-second session of the Committee, a written report on the options being considered for the upgrading and construction of roads affecting Hué, and on measures being undertaken to stop building violations. The Committee also requested the Government to provide the Secretariat with a technical report on the impact of the typhoon on the site.

21 COM X.1-2
Requests for International Assistance

X.1 The Committee examined International Assistance requests submitted by States Parties and advisory bodies presented in Working Document WHC-97/CONF.208/12Rev. In accordance with paragraphs 91-117 of the Operational Guidelines, the Committee took decisions concerning International Assistance requests for natural and cultural heritage above US$ 30,000.

X.2 The Committee's decisions and comments concerning International Assistance requests for natural and cultural heritage have been summarized in the following tables.

NATURAL HERITAGE

1. Training

India

Meeting of Regional Training Centres and Selected Academic/ Training Institutions for Curricula and Training Materials Development, Wildlife Institute of India

41,000.

30,000.

The Committee requested the State Party to consider bearing the costs of the participation of Indian natural World Heritage site managers and specialists.

Sub-total: Training

41,000.

30,000.

 
2. Technical Co-operation

India

Strengthening Protection of the Kaziranga National Park

50,000.

50,000.

The Committee approved an amount of US$ 50,000. for this project for 1998 to enable the construction of 10 guard camps (US$ 25,000.) 5 highland wildlife shelters (US$ 21,000.) and audio-visual equipment for the Park interpretation Centre at Kohara (US$ 4,000.). With reference to Article 22(d) of the Conven- tion, the Delegate of Thailand disassociated himself from this decision.

Niger

Purchase of equipment for W National Park

75,000.

50,000.

After discussion of an intervention by the Delegate of Thailand, whether Article 22(d) of the Convention would exclude the construction of houses and guard posts, the Committee requested the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO equipment unit and the State Party to purchase the equipment through competitive bidding and in the most cost effective manner. The Committee decided that the funds should not be used for construction purposes and maintenance of vehicles and requested the State Party to co-operate with the Centre and to submit to the 22nd session of the Bureau, a progress report on project implementation.

Sub-total: Technical Co-operation

125,000.

100,000.

 
3. Emergency Assistance

Democratic Republic of Congo

Purchase of Vehicles for four World Heritage Sites

88,400.

45,000.

The Committee approved, as a first step, US$ 45,000. for 2 vehicles for any 2 of the 4 sites under consideration and requested the State Party to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a progress report on project implementation to the Bureau's 22nd session. In addition, the Committee requested the World Heritage Centre to co-operate with conservation NGO's to ensure the safe delivery and proper use and maintenance of the vehicles.

India

Contribution towards the Implementation of an Emergency Rehabilitation Plan for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

160,000.

90,000.

The Committee approved a sum of of US$ 90,000. to cover the cost of 2 wooden fibre boats (US$ 5,000.), purchase of 400 patrolling gear (US$ 15,000.) and construction of buildings within the site (US$ 70,000.) With reference to Article 22(d) of the Convention, the Delegate of Thailand disassociated himself from this decision.

Sub-total: Emergency

248,400.

135,000.

 

Total: Natural Heritage

414,400.

265,000.

 

CULTURAL HERITAGE

1. Training

Austria

Training course for the Examination and Conservation of Architectural Surfaces

35,000.

35,000.

A Delegate questioned whether or not requests from developed countries should be submitted, considering the limited resources of the World Heritage Fund. He furthermore, requested that participants for this course should include those from the developing countries. ICCROM clarified that this training activity would mostly address participants from Central and Eastern Europe, where conservation of architectural surfaces is particularly necessary, but where the countries faced difficulties in addressing this issue.

Brazil

Inter-regional Postgraduate Course in the Conservation of Monuments and the rehabilitation of Historic Cities (CECRE)

50,000.

50,000.

 

Ghana

Ashanti Traditional Buildings

47,000.

47,000.

The Committee requested the State Party to

clarify the target audience of this training activity

while developing its programme.

ICCROM

Development of a training strategy and procedural framework

50,000.

40,000.

The Committee approved a sum of US$ 40,000

to finance the expert meeting to refine the Overall Strategy and for the survey of Latin America Development Strategy.

Sub-total: Training

182,000.

172,000.

 
2. Technical Co-operation

Mexico

Special course on the World Heritage Convention for Latin America and the Caribbean

30,000.

30,000.

 

Vietnam

Revision of urban planning regulations of the Complex of Hué

35,000.

35,000.

 

Zimbabwe

Preparation of a conservation plan for Khami Ruins National Monuments

76,900.

36,900.

 

Sub-total: Technical Co-operation

141,900.

101,900.

 
3. Emergency Assistance

Albania

Butrinti

47,000.

100,000.

The Committee allocated an amount of US$ 100,000. as emergency assistance, of which US$ 47,000. is for the implementation of immediate actions, as requested. The remaining funds are to be allocated, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Committee, for the development and implementation of the programme of corrective measures.

Sub-total: Emergency

47,000.

100,000.

 

Total: Cultural Heritage

370,900.

373,900.

 

The Bureau may wish to transmit the report by the Secretariat to the Committee for examination and recommend the following for adoption:

"The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat concerning damage caused by the 24 September 1997 typhoon to the historic buildings of Hué; and of continued building violations in the buffer zones which may undermine the integrity of this site. The Committee expresses its appreciation for the decentralized co-operation project agreement between Hué, Lille and UNESCO which should enable a thorough review of the land-use and building regulations of the protected area and the buffer zones of the site and the establishment of the Heritage House - an advisory service for the local population attached to the municipal urban planning office. The Committee requests the Government to submit to the twenty-second session of the Committee, a written report on the options being considered for the upgrading and construction of roads affecting Hué, and of measures being undertaken to stop building violations. The Committee also requests the Government to provide the Secretariat with a technical report on the impact of the typhoon on the site."

Report year: 1997
Viet Nam
Date of Inscription: 1993
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iv)
Exports

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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