No expansion of subjects eligible for free tickets
On March 20, Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee informed Lao Dong Newspaper that Hoi An has stopped all new projects on collecting entrance fees to the old town.
This project has 2 notable contents on expanding the number of subjects with free admission and increasing ticket prices compared to current regulations.
Previously, the People's Committee of Hoi An City submitted a proposal to expand the scope of free tickets to visit the old quarter, including: Delegates from domestic and foreign localities who have signed or have cooperative and exchange relationships with Hoi An City and Quang Nam Province; domestic and international delegations to Hoi An and Quang Nam to participate in local cultural exchange events; working delegations with working relationships and learning experiences in the locality.
As a cultural city rich in identity, Hoi An has established friendly cooperative relations with many localities around the world, aiming to promote cultural exchange, tourism and sustainable development. Some international localities have annual friendly and cooperative relations with Hoi An such as: Luang Prabang City (Laos), Niihama City (Japan); Szentendre City (Hungary) ...
Hoi An leaders said that the number of groups coming to Hoi An in this area every year is very large: "Normally, the city is also "smooth" and does not collect fees for these cases. The proposal to be included in the regulations aims to create a basis for favorable language skills".
However, the Department of Finance of Quang Nam province has determined that the subjects that Hoi An proposed to exempt from fees are not exempted under current legal regulations. This expansion was once recommended by the State Audit as not in accordance with regulations.
"Therefore, the province has officially rejected the proposal of the People's Committee of Hoi An city on expanding the target of free tickets to visit the old quarter. This decision is based on current legal regulations and the opinion of the provincial Department of Finance" - according to the People's Committee of Quang Nam province.
Who is exempted from free tickets to Hoi An ancient town?
According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 10 of the Law on Fees and Fees, at the same time as Point d, Clause 1, Article 5 of Circular No. 85 of the Ministry of Finance, the subjects eligible for free tickets to visit Hoi An ancient town include: Children; poor households; journalists, researchers and members of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association.
In the past, Hoi An city has had many proposals and changes related to collecting fees for visiting the old quarter.
Most recently, it is proposed to collect mandatory fees for all domestic and foreign tourists when visiting the old town, applicable from May 15, 2023. This proposal caused controversy in public opinion about its reasonableness and impact on tourism.
Up to now, Hoi An has temporarily suspended this proposal and focused on improving the cultural and tourism environment in the old town said Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh.
On the occasion of major events, Hoi An has also issued free tickets to visit the old quarter, to attract tourists and promote the image of Hoi An - most recently the free ticket on December 4, 2024, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Hoi An Ancient Urban Area being recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.
The decision of Quang Nam province on not expanding the number of free tickets to Hoi An ancient town is a strict compliance with current legal regulations.
However, to continue to attract tourists and promote cultural exchanges, Hoi An city needs to seek flexible and harmonious solutions between heritage conservation and sustainable tourism development" - Mr. Tran Thanh Hung, a cultural researcher in Da Nang expressed his opinion.
