The deteriorating architectural status of ancient houses in Hoi An due to
commercialization is one of the major challenges in developing a sustainable
tourism model in this city. Business activities in the area have put significant
pressure on the heritage, especially the ancient houses in Hoi An. Architectural
alterations have been extensive, primarily driven by profit-seeking motives.
According to a 2018 survey conducted by the Center for Cultural Heritage
Management and Preservation in Hoi An, among 100 heritage sites classified
as special or type I, a staggering 98 had undergone improper renovations or
unauthorized removal of essential interior components that constitute the "soul"
of these ancient houses, such as courtyards, water wells, gardens, kitchens, and
worship spaces, all for the purpose of commercial ventures ( Báo Quảng
Nam,2019). Traditionally, the layout of Hoi An's ancient townhouses
comprised three distinct functions: trading, living, and worship. However,
nowadays, only the trading function remains intact. This situation has led to the
gradual loss of their traditional functions and the diminishing charm of these
historic architectural treasures.
https://baoquangnam.vn/xa-hoi/bien-dang-nha-co-hoi-an-70836.html
The primary goal of almost all entrepreneurs in Hoi An is to optimize profits,
which are significantly influenced by the demand and experiences of tourists
when they visit. Substantial tourist demand for experiencing culinary and
shopping services has driven businesses related to products while not placing
too much emphasis on preserving the heritage architecture of ancient houses .
One proposed method for preserving the heritage architecture of ancient houses
is to stimulate the curiosity of tourists through promotion and celebration of the
mysterious historical stories associated with these houses and the objects within
them, creating a new trend that makes visiting ancient architectural sites a top
priority and dominates other tourist needs. This may lead to a shift in the
business objectives of entrepreneurs, as they start transitioning from a focus on
merchandise sales to providing guided tours of historic houses and learning
about historical narratives. This also implies that entrepreneurs must ensure the
preservation of the historic architecture to profit from providing these tour
services. To accomplish this, we suggest that we can use social media
platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote the
untold stories of the ancient houses in Hoi An. We can also tap into the
knowledge and stories of elderly residents who have lived in the area for a long
time to uncover and share captivating legends about the history and the ancient
houses. Additionally, we should consider cultural and feng shui values related
to ancient architecture to make these values appealing to tourists.
Intro:
https://www.gstcouncil.org/what-is-sustainable-tourism/#:~:text=Sustaina
ble%20tourism%20is%20defined%20by,the%20environment%20and
%20host%20communities.%E2%80%9D
Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN Environment Program and UN World
Tourism Organization as “tourism that takes full account of its current and
future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of
visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.Developing
sustainable tourism has become a global trend, and the promotion of
sustainable tourism significantly contributes to the growth of a nation's tourism
sector while effectively preserving resources. The reason we are researching a
sustainable tourism model in Hoi An, Vietnam, is that this is one of the most
successful sustainable tourism development models in Vietnam.In this report,
we delve into 4 major part of sustainable tourism in Hoi An including the
challenges and opportunities as well as solutions to maintain/develop that
model. From this, we can draw valuable lessons, experiences, and knowledge
about sustainable tourism development.
