Citadel of the Ho Dynasty

Described, Inscribed, Written Off: Heritagisation as (Dis)connection

Heritagisation of the Citadel of the Hồ Dynasty, inscribed by UNESCO in 2011, has exacerbated tensions between conservation efforts and local livelihoods. The study reveals a complex conflict involving district authorities, heritage management agencies, and local residents, highlighting how conservation regulations clash with existing land-use practices. While UNESCO's inscription aims to protect the site, it imposes restrictions that disrupt local lives without adequate enforcement or compensation mechanisms. The research exposes power struggles between government agencies, underscoring the challenges of balancing heritage preservation with social equity in post-socialist Vietnam.