Commodification and Politicization of Heritage: Implications for Heritage Tourism at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi (Vietnam)

Heritage commodification is inherently intertwined with politicization, particularly for sites of national and international significance. Using the UNESCO-listed Central Sector of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi as a case study, this research reveals that political priorities often overshadow commercial utilization, such as tourism, leading to issues like heritage dissonance. The study analyzes how heritage resources are selected, interpreted, and targeted for diverse audiences, highlighting the complexities of balancing preservation with development. This finding underscores the need for strategies that address both cultural significance and economic potential without compromising heritage integrity.

Bui, H. T., & Lee, T. J. (2015). Commodification and Politicization of Heritage: Implications for Heritage Tourism at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Hanoi (Vietnam). Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, Vol 8 No 2 (2015): Tourism and Development. https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-2015.2-5