After two days of intense and enthusiastic work, the International Symposium on the Ancient Town of Hoi An has ended with great success. This is a golden opportunity for Vietnamese and foreign scientists to make contact and exchange views with one another about a subject having great significance in the past as well as at present. In the old times, Hoi An was a prosperous commercial port for international trade, representing the socio-economic achievements of a period of Vietnam's opening up to the world in the field of trade. Many merchant ships from Southeast Asian, East Asian, South Asian countries and a number of Western countries came here to do trade, exchange commodities, open town sections and stores. That open-door and cultural and economic interexchange policy did create a rich and diversified cultural face for Hoi An - the vestiges of which are preserved and reflected until today. At present, in the cause of renewal, Vietnam is also widely opening its door for investments, trade, economic, cultural, scientific and technological exchanges with all countries in the world. The tradition of Hoi An is being continued at a higher level, with new requirements of Vietnam and of our time.

The scientists' papers and their frank and cordial exchanges of views at subcommittees have increased the knowledge in the history and many-faceted values of Hoi An. The Symposium, with the participation of many well-known experts in architecture and preservation of historical vestiges, has made valuable suggestions on drawing up a comprehensive plan for the preservation, restoration and bringing into full play the effect of the historical site of the ancient town of Hoi An.

In view of its great importance, not only Vietnamese and foreign scientists have taken great interest in it, but the local population have also given it warm welcome and good response. For the population of Hoi An, in particular, this is a festive day of the masses. The Hoi An population have organized boat races, dance and song performances in conformity with the traditional festivities, in honor of the distinguished guests and participants in our Symposium, and as an expression of their hospitality and their hopes for future cooperation.

Allow me, on behalf of the National Committee for the International Symposium on the Ancient Town of Hoi An, to express my deepest gratitude to our distinguished guests, to Vietnamese and foreign scientists for having come to this Symposium and made their decisive contributions to the success of the Symposium. We wish the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese scientists and foreign scientists, between Vietnam and other countries, between Vietnam and Japan, in particular, will further develop with every passing day.