UNESCO provides emergency support to safeguard Vietnam heritage
Paris, January 25
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has announced an emergency assistance package worth approximately USD 740,000 to support efforts to protect cultural heritage and sustain education in areas of Vietnam heavily affected by a series of severe storms in November 2025.
"Typhoons Wipha, Bualoi and Matmo left a devastating trail: hundreds of people killed or injured, hundreds of thousands of homes damaged, and nearly 10,000 schools affected nationwide. In response, UNESCO is deploying targeted assistance to help national and local partners stabilise cultural heritage assets and restore learning continuity for children and youth," UNESCO said in its statement.
In the field of culture, UNESCO, in cooperation with Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local authorities, is conducting technical assessments and implementing emergency protection measures at World Heritage Sites in Hue and Hoi An, as well as at other cultural sites affected by storms and flooding.
According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), these activities are supported by the Heritage Emergency Fund and the World Heritage Fund and are guided by an integrated, risk-informed approach aimed at strengthening preparedness and safeguarding both tangible and intangible heritage.
— ANI
Reader Comments
$740,000 seems like a drop in the ocean considering the scale of damage described. Hundreds of thousands of homes damaged? The focus on heritage and schools is good, but I hope more aid is directed towards immediate relief and rebuilding houses for the affected families.
Hoi An and Hue are beautiful places. It's heartbreaking to think of them damaged. The integrated approach mentioned, focusing on both tangible and intangible heritage, is crucial. It's not just about buildings, but the living culture and traditions too.
Nearly 10,000 schools affected is the most alarming part for me. Children's education cannot wait. UNESCO's work to restore learning continuity is perhaps the most valuable part of this package. The future of a nation is in its classrooms.
As someone who has visited Vietnam, the people are resilient and their culture is rich. This support is good, but I also hope the international community learns from this. Climate change is making storms more severe. We need stronger global action, not just emergency funds after the fact.
It's a positive step. However, I respectfully question if the process is fast enough. The storms were in November, it's now late January. Emergency measures should be... more emergency-paced. Bureaucracy can't slow down saving heritage or getting kids back to school.
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