On August 24, 2026, the Faculty of Tourism at USSH, VNU-HCM, successfully hosted a scientific symposium themed "Leveraging Urban Heritage for Tourism Development". The seminar provided a forum for researchers, experts, lecturers, and students to exchange perspectives on identifying urban heritage and harnessing its historical, cultural, and spatial values to develop tourism products and experiences.
The seminar was attended by Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, Secretary-General of the Ho Chi Minh City Historical Science Association, and lecturer at USSH; and Candy Nguyen, leader of the Dau An Sai Gon group and founder of HERITA Travel. Representing the Faculty of Tourism were Dr. Pham Thi Thuy Nguyet, Dean of the Faculty; Dr. Nguyen Van Chat, Vice Dean, and M.A. Tran Duy Minh, Vice Dean; along with faculty members, postgraduate students, and undergraduates.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Pham Thi Thuy Nguyet outlined key themes for discussion on the role of urban heritage in tourism development. She noted that urban heritage encompasses not only architectural structures, physical spaces, and historical traces but is also closely intertwined with the memories, identity, and everyday life of urban communities. Identifying and appropriately promoting these heritage values helps foster tourism products and experiences that reflect the distinctive character of each destination.
Opening the seminar, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau presented a paper titled “Saigon’s Urban Heritage: A Resource for the Tourism Economy”. She noted that identifying and harnessing urban heritage values should be closely tied to Saigon’s distinctive characteristics, including its urban spaces, landscapes, architecture, and cultural values. Urban heritage is thus seen not only as an important part of the city’s collective memory but also as a resource to be preserved and promoted for tourism development.
Candy Nguyen then presented a paper titled “Heritage Beyond Preservation: Transforming Urban Assets into Tourism Experiences,” exploring ways to translate heritage values into tourism products and experiences that cater to diverse visitor needs. She emphasized that rather than altering heritage to meet visitor expectations, tourism professionals should develop different approaches to connect visitors with heritage.
The presentations were followed by an engaging discussion among researchers, lecturers, and students on approaches to promoting urban heritage in tourism development. Practical perspectives further illuminated ways to connect visitors with the historical, cultural, and everyday dimensions of urban life.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Nguyen Van Chat emphasized that heritage development should begin with identifying the distinctive characteristics and values of each heritage site, with approaches tailored to the urban context and visitors’ needs. He also highlighted the importance of reinvesting in heritage to ensure its long-term preservation. The seminar, “Leveraging Urban Heritage for Tourism Development,” explored approaches to integrating heritage into tourism while balancing preservation and utilization.
