Ha Long City: Building a learning city while preserving and promoting traditional culture
WVR - Ha Long City, the economic and cultural heart of Quang Ninh province, is globally renowned for Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. However, beyond its breathtaking landscapes, the city has a profound historical legacy and rich cultural traditions. With three significant prehistoric cultures - Soi Nhu, Cai Beo, and Ha Long - alongside an extensive network of scenic sites and unique festivals, Ha Long is a convergence of tangible and intangible cultural values. These heritage assets provide a robust foundation for the city’s vision of developing a sustainable learning city that seamlessly integrates modernity with tradition.
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| From February 28 to March 1, 2025, Ha Long City hosted a village festival at the Dao Thanh Y Cultural Conservation Area in Bang Ca, celebrating the national recognition of the Dao Maturity Ritual and Tay New Rice Celebration, while also marking Bang Ca's status as an advanced new-style rural commune. |
A legacy of history and cultural heritage
Ha Long City’s cultural identity is deeply rooted in history, with archaeological evidence from the Soi Nhu, Cai Beo, and Ha Long cultures testifying to the region’s ancient civilization. Today, the city is home to 96 of Quang Ninh’s 638 historical and cultural sites, including the world-renowned Ha Long Bay, six nationally recognized heritage sites, and 11 distinctive festivals. This wealth of cultural resources serves as a catalyst for Hạ Long to develop cultural tourism while preserving and promoting its traditional values.
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| Ha Long City reserves the cultural identity of ethnic communities. |
Since the expansion of its administrative boundaries, Ha Long City has become a cultural melting pot, where maritime traditions, mining industry heritage, and ethnic minority customs converge. This cultural synthesis has forged a dynamic and diverse identity-one that is unified in its richness and vibrancy. Recognizing this unique strength, the city has placed a strong emphasis on preserving and promoting the cultural traditions of its ethnic communities, ensuring they remain an integral part of Ha Long’s socio-cultural fabric.
Ha Long’s learning city vision
Inspired by UNESCO’s learning city model, Ha Long is committed to fostering an inclusive urban environment where all citizens have access to lifelong learning opportunities. The city aims to position itself as a hub for education, culture, and innovation. To realize this vision, Ha Long has prioritized investments in education, public libraries, cultural centers, and digital learning platforms, ensuring knowledge is readily accessible to all.
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| Ha Long City is actively progressing toward membership in the UNESCO Global network of learning cities. |
A defining feature of Ha Long’s strategy is its holistic approach—intertwining learning with cultural preservation. The city recognizes that sustainable development must be rooted in cultural heritage. The Bang Ca Festival of the Dao Thanh Y people, held in February 2025, exemplifies this commitment, drawing significant public and tourist interest while reinforcing cultural pride and awareness.
Harmonizing modernity and tradition
One of the key challenges in building a learning city is achieving a balance between technological advancement and cultural preservation. Ha Long has adopted a forward-thinking strategy, integrating modern technology into education and cultural heritage management. The city has spearheaded projects to digitize its cultural heritage, ensuring traditional festivals and customs are preserved through high-quality digital archives, including video recordings, imagery, and interactive online platforms. This approach not only safeguards cultural heritage but also enhances public engagement, making cultural education more accessible to both residents and visitors.
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| Traditional festivals are more than cultural celebrations; they are "living museums" that preserve and showcase the rich heritage of ethnic minority communities. |
Ha Long’s traditional festivals transcend mere celebration; they serve as living museums, providing an immersive experience into the cultural fabric of ethnic minority communities. Recognizing their educational value, the city has incorporated local cultural studies into school curricula, allowing students to develop a deeper appreciation for their heritage. Schools have also introduced experiential learning initiatives, including heritage site visits and festival participation, to foster a more profound connection between the younger generation and their cultural roots.
Ha Long is leveraging its cultural heritage to drive tourism while ensuring sustainable preservation efforts. Signature events such as the Lang Bang Ca Festival have become key attractions, drawing both domestic and international visitors. The city has made strategic investments in infrastructure development and service enhancements to cater to increasing tourism demand while safeguarding the authenticity of local cultural practices.
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| Students, teachers, and local residents eagerly take part in immersive cultural festival activities and experiences. |
In an effort to position its cultural heritage on the global stage, Ha Long has actively engaged in international cooperation initiatives. The city has partnered with global organizations to promote cultural exchanges, exhibitions, and academic conferences, facilitating cross-cultural learning and mutual enrichment.
Towards global recognition as a learning city
Ha Long’s strategic efforts reflect its unwavering commitment to implementing Vietnam’s Cultural Outline, strengthening the cultural resilience of its people, and advancing its ambition to join the UNESCO Global network of learning cities by 2025.
By embracing both tradition and modernity, Hạ Long is not only preserving its invaluable cultural heritage but also fostering economic and social development. This progressive approach is positioning the city as a distinguished learning city on the global map, reinforcing its status as a center of education, culture, and sustainable innovation.
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| Ha Long City is dedicated to building a dynamic learning city that seamlessly blends modern innovation with rich cultural traditions. |
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