United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationViet Nam joined UNESCO on July 6, 1951; the UNESCO Office is based in Hanoi.
The imperial city of Hué, crowning achievement of an architectural complex created by the Nguyen dynasty in 1805, represents an important part of Vietnamese civilization. For years, the ancient city had suffered severe damage through fire, the tropical climate, vegetation and termite attacks. The city was added to the World Heritage List in 1993. The International Campaign for the Safeguarding of the City of Hué marks a successful collaboration between Viet Nam and UNESCO.
Ha Long Bay (Bay of the Descending Dragon) has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list twice: for its beauty in 1994 and for its geological features in 2000. The Youth Volunteers in Cultural Heritage Preservation Project, set up by UNESCO Viet Nam and local groups, seeks solutions for environmental threats to the site.
“Nha Nhac, Vietnamese Court Music” and “The Space of Gong Culture” have been proclaimed Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage.
Among scientific projects, there are currently five Biosphere Reserves in Viet Nam, linked to the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) network.