Developing Hong Bang ward into a heritage urban area(*)

Comrade Nguyen Thanh Hung, Secretary of the Party Committee of Hong Bang Ward, spoke at the Congress.

Hai Phong used to be an estuary area belonging to Hai Duong town, which received little attention from feudal dynasties for development. After the Treaty of Giap Tuat in 1874, the French occupied it and established Hai Phong province by separating some coastal districts in the vicinity of Ninh Hai port from Hai Duong province.

From 1874 to 1887, the Chinese and French came to settle mainly on the banks of the Tam Bac River (the area of Hong Bang today) together with the Vietnamese community to begin the construction and formation of a commercial urban area, an important center of domestic and foreign exchange.

In 1876, the French officially started construction of Hai Phong port. In 1888, the decree establishing Hai Phong city was signed when Hai Phong province was separated into Kien An province and Hai Phong city. This was the time when Hai Phong had a full "urban shape". From here, Hai Phong gradually developed rapidly, then became one of the first 3 type I cities in Vietnam with the main nucleus being the city center area - Hong Bang ward today.

According to documents on Hai Phong's history and geography, in the early 20th century, the colonial government expanded Hai Phong's urban space by extending Paul Bert Street (now Dien Bien Phu Street) and Amira Courbert Street (now Hoang Van Thu Street) to Paul Doumer Street (now Cau Dat Street). That is why ancient French architectural works are mostly concentrated in the central streets of Hong Bang Ward today. These neighborhoods are full of works in styles from pre-colonial, classical, neoclassical, French local... to Indochina, Neo-Gothic, Art Decor and modern.

In Hai Phong city, there are more than 300 works formed from the early days of French architecture. Of these, in Hong Bang ward, there are 113 works, including 50 works of high cultural and artistic value that need to be preserved and promoted. These works have become an indispensable part of local history and culture, typically: the City Opera House, the City Post Office, the former headquarters of the City People's Committee, now the City Public Administration Service Center (formerly the Governor's Office), Hai Phong Museum (formerly the French Bank), the State Bank of Vietnam Hai Phong branch (formerly the Indochina Bank), Hong Bang Library (8-roof house in Kim Dong flower garden), Hai Phong City Youth Union (Fesquet Private Hospital) ... and many historical buildings, villas, schools.

Therefore, it can be said that Hong Bang is the "core" to form Hai Phong urban area - the economic, commercial, service and cultural - historical center of the Port city for nearly 140 years.

In addition to French architectural works, the ward also has many cultural and historical revolutionary relics ranked such as: Ha Temple National Historical Relic, An Lac Communal House and Pagoda Historical Relic, Cam Lo Communal House and Pagoda Historical Relic, Quynh Communal House Cultural Historical Relic, So Dau Tower Historical Relic, 37mm Anti-Aircraft Artillery Site, Heritage Trees...

The architectural, cultural and social values of the French Quarter's urban heritage, along with religious and artistic works and revolutionary historical relics in the ward are "precious materials" for Hong Bang Ward to be determined to build a "Heritage Urban" model.

Hong Bang Ward is currently formed from the merger of the entire natural area and population of 6 old wards (Hoang Van Thu, Minh Khai, Phan Boi Chau, Thuong Ly, So Dau, Hung Vuong) and part of the natural area of Gia Vien Ward, with a total area of 12.11 km² and a population of more than 113,200 people.

With the strength of a long history of urban formation associated with the identity of a "Port City"; possessing a dense, original French architectural heritage fund of high value, with convenient traffic infrastructure connecting other areas. In particular, the urban area has an approved 1/2000 zoning plan. The locality also has the potential to attract investment in urban conservation and development projects; facing opportunities to cooperate with international organizations (UNESCO, ICOMOS), heritage cities of France and Europe. In the context of the developing 4.0 industrial revolution, this is a favorable condition to promote the local "Heritage City" brand...

The Party Committee of Hong Bang Ward has built a roadmap to implement the project and determined the strategic vision as "Building Hong Bang Ward into a heritage urban area where heritage values are effectively preserved and promoted, becoming a driving force for socio-economic development, creating a unique identity and a special tourism brand for Hai Phong" with 5 specific goals. These are to preserve valuable architectural works, historical and cultural relics in the area; exploit heritage to turn heritage into economic resources; build the brand "Hong Bang - Heritage Ward", creating prestige, honor and pride for the locality; improve the quality of life of the people, build a "livable" urban model; harmoniously combine heritage conservation and modern urban development.

To achieve the above goal, the Ward Party Committee proposes that the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Fatherland Front Committee and city departments, branches and sectors pay attention to directing, guiding and coordinating the implementation of a number of tasks and solutions as follows:

Firstly, perfecting the institutions, planning and management of heritage. Pay attention to building and perfecting specific mechanisms and policies for the conservation and promotion of urban heritage values, creating a clear legal corridor. Soon have a comprehensive and scientific plan for the conservation and development of urban heritage; in which the plan needs to clearly identify conservation areas, harmonious development areas and heritage routes and connection points. Conduct systematic classification and assessment of the value of architectural works and relics to have appropriate conservation and exploitation solutions. Research and propose recognition of works and areas that meet the criteria to become relics or urban heritage according to regulations.

Second, preserve and promote heritage values. Implement projects to preserve, renovate and restore French architectural works and important historical relics. Apply digital technology in storing, promoting and digitally displaying heritage (digitizing artifacts, documents, creating real and virtual tours...).

Preserve both tangible and intangible values: not only preserve the works but also maintain the lifestyle, style, festivals, and cultural activities typical of the core urban community. Promote the role of the community in conservation work, encourage people to participate in monitoring, introducing, protecting, and promoting local heritage.

Third, socio-economic development based on the exploitation of heritage values. Designing thematic tours to explore French architecture and historical sites. Developing the “night economy” associated with heritage spaces: cuisine, street art performances, cultural events. Restoring and developing the “walking street” model with identity, attracting investment in a sustainable way, learning and drawing experience from previous pilot phases.

Encourage the development of high value-added services such as finance, banking, insurance, and luxury office space in appropriately renovated architectural works. Build Hong Bang into an “extremely attractive” destination for businesses, cultural, creative, and business activities. Encourage artistic creation (photography, painting, design) inspired by heritage. Develop souvenirs and handicrafts bearing the heritage of Hong Bang.

Fourth, invest in urban renovation, beautification and reconstruction. Renovate and reconstruct the urban area in a civilized and modern direction while still respecting and highlighting heritage values. Reconstruction must go hand in hand with strict urban management. Complete the technical infrastructure system (traffic, drainage, flood prevention), social infrastructure (parks, public spaces) to improve the quality of life and meet the needs of tourism development. Develop riverside urban projects (such as Tam Bac River after renovation) to create new landscape highlights and living spaces for the city.

Fifth, promote communication, promotion, raise awareness and brand of Hong Bang.

Develop a systematic communication strategy to promote the image of “Hong Bang - Heritage City” to people at home and abroad. Coordinate with press agencies in propagating and educating about heritage values, actively criticizing projects that have the potential to negatively impact heritage, and inspiring creativity from heritage. Organize large-scale, branded cultural events and festivals, with heritage as the center and theme to attract attention.

Sixth, improve management capacity and human resources. Build a team of competent, dedicated, innovative and knowledgeable staff in heritage management and urban development. Promote digital transformation in administrative and heritage management, towards building digital government and smart cities. Attract and promote talents and experts in the fields of heritage conservation, urban planning and tourism development.

Seventh, create mechanisms and resources to implement specific policies. Mobilize diverse capital sources: state budget, socialized capital, ODA capital, public-private partnership (PPP) for conservation and development projects.

Propose a special mechanism from the Central and the city for Hong Bang ward as a pilot area for heritage urban development. Strengthen decentralization and delegation of authority to ward authorities in managing, exploiting and promoting heritage values. Have preferential policies on tax exemption and reduction for owners of heritage restoration; corporate income tax incentives for enterprises operating in the field of heritage conservation and tourism...

The development of Hong Bang ward into a heritage urban area is a correct policy, in line with the trend of sustainable development and exploiting the core advantages of the locality. This direction has been persistently pursued by the former Hong Bang District Party Committee and the current Hong Bang ward and has been concretized in the Resolution of the 1st Ward Party Congress; at the same time, it has also been suggested in the Political Report presented to the City Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030.

The success of this strategy depends on strong political determination, city support, coordinated efforts at all levels and sectors, active community participation and a scientific and innovative approach. Success will not only be measured by economic figures but also by preserving the soul and memory of the city for future generations, turning heritage into a living and sustainable resource.

When effectively implemented, Hong Bang heritage will truly become a strong endogenous resource, promoting the ward's socio-economic development, contributing to building Hai Phong into a civilized, modern city rich in identity.

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(*) Title by Hai Phong Electronic Newspaper.

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/phat-trien-phuong-hong-bang-tro-thanh-khu-vuc-do-thi-di-san-521973.html