UNESCO World Heritage Designation

UNESCO World Heritage designation at Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam, has spurred significant economic growth through tourism but raises concerns about social and environmental sustainability. The study highlights challenges such as land speculation, inflation, cultural commodification, and environmental degradation, which threaten the long-term viability of heritage management in developing countries. Researchers analyzed these impacts using a case study approach, revealing that while Hoi An attracts large tourist numbers and achieves economic success, unsustainable practices risk undermining its heritage value.

Bui, H. T., Le, T.-A., & Nguyen, C. H. (2020). UNESCO World Heritage Designation. Destination Management and Marketing, 945–955. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-2469-5.ch052