Vietnam’s Hoi An weighs new int’l name to preserve UNESCO status

The issue was discussed during a meeting on Thursday between a UNESCO delegation and representatives of Hoi An's wards and commune, as the former city seeks to maintain its standing in UNESCO programs, including the Creative Cities Network.

Hoi An was restructured into multiple wards and a commune when former Quang Nam Province was merged into the central city of Da Nang in July 2025 as part of a nationwide administrative overhaul.

The town was named to UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in October 2023, when it was still administered as a city under Quang Nam Province.

However, officials said the change has created uncertainty over how the heritage site should be represented internationally, as past commitments to UNESCO were made under the name Hoi An City.

"We are determined to fully implement all commitments previously made with UNESCO, but the current structure presents challenges," said Nguyen Tan Cuong, chairman of Hoi An Ward.

Pham Thi Thanh Huong, head of UNESCO's Culture Office in Hanoi, said her office has been working with UNESCO's Secretariat to ensure Hoi An's titles are not affected.

Drawing on international experience, Huong suggested adopting a non-administrative or 'nominal' designation to facilitate foreign engagement without creating a new governing body or contradicting current policy.

Local leaders said they have agreed not to use the term 'city' in any future designation. 

Options such as 'Hoi An Ancient Town' will be consolidated and submitted to UNESCO and relevant authorities, they said.