Promoting scientific research, enriching the values of Trang An Scenic Complex

Trang An Festival is held annually, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

Continue to enrich the values of heritage

After Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was recognized as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), implementing the recommendations of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, Ninh Binh province directed the implementation of many research programs to continue to enrich the values of the Heritage. In particular, the Sundasia research project is an international archaeological project focusing on Southeast Asia, which discovered important remains such as human skeletons over 12,000 years old along with data on chronology, stratigraphy, ancient flora and fauna and burial forms of prehistoric people at Thung Binh 1 cave, part of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

Dr. Ryan Rabett, Archaeology Expert, Queen's University Belfast, UK shared: The research results have confirmed that Trang An is a "living museum" of natural evolution and human culture, a rare scientific evidence that sheds light on the process of human habitation and adaptation to environmental change, while also adding valuable documents on anthropology - genetics and the presence of globally endangered animal species that once lived here.

Participating in in-depth research at the Sundasia Project, Dr. Benamin Joon Utting, Archaeologist, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, USA also said: The research results at Thung Binh 1 cave, part of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, have provided us with knowledge about prehistoric times, further consolidating Trang An's position on the world science map, helping to increase tourism, strengthen the management of cultural heritage, thereby shaping Trang An into an exemplary heritage model in the world...

The scientific discoveries at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex not only have research value, but also open up a new approach in preserving and promoting the value of Heritage. This is also a vivid demonstration of the close and persistent cooperation between Ninh Binh province and domestic and international scientists, especially universities in the UK. This has created a strong ripple effect, attracting widespread attention from domestic and international scientists, while spreading outstanding global values, enhancing the position of Ninh Binh and Vietnam on the world heritage and tourism map. This result also affirms the role of four pillars in sustainable development: the State's orientation and support; the accompaniment and investment of enterprises; the intellectual guidance of scientists and the active and responsible participation of the community.

When these four pillars join forces, the value of Heritage will be strongly spread, arousing national pride, love for the homeland, raising awareness of Heritage conservation in the hearts of every citizen. This is an important foundation to both preserve Heritage and develop tourism, creating momentum to form and elevate cultural industries, making practical contributions to the development of green and sustainable tourism in the province.

Affirming Heritage's position with outstanding values

The World Cultural and Natural Heritage Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex affirms its position with outstanding global values, a place that preserves traces of human history, national and ethnic groups on a very unique and distinct geological and geomorphological habitat. An area with many natural and cultural values, blending and sublimating, a place with many historical relics, famous landscapes, associated with unique and distinctive customs and beliefs. This place is recognized as an intact information repository, a chronicle of human habitation traditions, traditions of land and sea use by prehistoric people with many continuous cultures, lasting more than 30 thousand years.

The cultural history of Trang An is closely related to the geological evolution in the recent past of the Trang An limestone massif formed over 250 million years ago, with strong transitions between continental, island and coastal environmental contexts, undergoing many transformations that have left this place with outstanding values in geology, geomorphology, natural landscape and biodiversity. It is this ideal environment that has attracted early people to settle here and shape a unique cultural tradition unique to prehistoric times.

For the tourism industry, these unique scientific values are a solid foundation for building culturally profound tourism products, increasing attractiveness and creating differences, while raising public awareness of the responsibility to preserve and promote the value of Trang An World Heritage. In particular, the archaeological evidence over 12,000 years old announced at the International Conference "Scientific research associated with management, conservation and promotion of the value of Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage" held in September 2025 is becoming an important foundation for localities to build unique cultural and ecological tourism products, linking scientific research with sustainable livelihood development for the community. Dr. Nguyen Viet, Director of the Southeast Asian Prehistory Center, shared about a very interesting new type of experience called "Living with prehistoric people in Trang An" experiential tourism.

Accordingly, this type of tourism will focus on tourists directly participating in practical activities, immersing themselves in the cultural life, nature and local community instead of simply sightseeing and relaxing. This type emphasizes personal interaction, learning new knowledge and skills, accumulating practical experience and leaving deep memories. Experiential tourism "Living with prehistoric people of Trang An" emphasizes the reproduction of the living space, cuisine and culture of ancient residents so that tourists can experience and better understand the value of the Heritage...

As the first World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Vietnam and the only one in Southeast Asia with “dual heritage” value, Trang An welcomes more than 6 million visitors every year, contributing greatly to the GRDP growth of Ninh Binh province. This “precious gem” contributes to promoting tourism, creating tens of thousands of jobs, improving livelihoods for the community. The image of people rowing boats, developing homestays, and tourism services has become a unique cultural feature here.

Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Head of the Cultural Department, UNESCO Hanoi Office, said: In terms of heritage management, Trang An is a typical lesson between the State management agency and the local community, businesses, and international scientists. The scientific discoveries in Trang An show the high level of commitment of the Ninh Binh provincial government to implementing UNESCO's recommendations, continuing to invest in expanding scientific research to clarify the natural values, cultural values, and archaeological values of the Heritage. The results of scientific research will be gradually and effectively applied to the conservation and promotion of the Heritage's values, building unique cultural and ecological tourism products, contributing to raising public awareness of conservation, while creating sustainable livelihoods for local people.

Mr. Nguyen Cao Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, said: Scientific research is extremely important for Ninh Binh province in the management and conservation of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. From the research results of domestic and international experts and scientists, the province has come up with appropriate methods of heritage management and conservation. At the same time, through information obtained from international conferences and seminars, the province will have a plan to build culturally profound tourism products as well as do better in heritage conservation, raising awareness and understanding of the community about heritage.

Phan Hieu-Minh Quang

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/day-manh-nghien-cuu-khoa-hoc-lam-giau-them-cac-gia-tri-cua-quan-the-danh-thang--251009083334967.html