Hoi An deserves a special place in Vietnam's and humanity's cultural heritage. It has beautiful historical streets and lanes, a wealth of architectural forms, and interiors sculptured to perfection. Hoi An's golden years occurred during a period of bustling commercial activity, which in fact spurred the development of the town. Streets sprung up where land and sea routes intersected. They brought prosperity to the local population. Such wealth facilitated the embellishment of architecture and of interior design. After losing its place in international trade, the town ceased to develop. At this time, key issues are countering the agents of destruction and preserving the historical, aesthetic, and scientific values of the vestiges. This is an urgent task: it will take much time and effort to restore and save old Hoi An.

The key to success lies in designing an appropriate plan regarding scientific research, the undertaking of projects, and their step-by-step technical implementation. It is necessary to learn about each aspect of the restoration process from other such endeavors in order to insure the best possible results and avoid mistakes committed elsewhere. In particular, I would like to refer to the Polish experiences in the restoration of the ancient city of Kazimierz, on the banks of Visla. While having been built under different climatic and geographical conditions, Hoi An and Kazimierz share similar characteristics.
1. They are both located in tourist triangles: Kazimierz-Libem- Naleczow, Hoi An-Rue-Cham vestiges.
2. Their formation stemmed from the same historical conditions. Commerce in wheat on the Visla gave rise to Kazimierz.
3. Fading from the commercial scene ended their period of prosperity and led to decline.
4. Their architectural diversity, combined with the breathtaking surrounding scenery,have always been a source of inspiration for artists.
5. They are about the same size (population, overall size). The main problem for these towns is emphasizing their historical past in the context of contemporary life, insuring modem living conditions for the inhabitants, and establishing a programmer of urban development. In order to be able to reconstruct the past, one needs a benefactor who will finance the project, control the use of capital funds and insure that those restorations and repairs agreed to from the start are carried out. This donor can be the State, social organizations, companies, and even individuals. Obviously, sometimes the donor's actions do not respect the guidelines set out for the restorations. It is necessary to achieve objective solutions likely to fulfill the stated goal: to defend the historical values, while at the same time fulfilling the needs of real life. Fifteen years ago, Kazimierz was written into the programmer of repair and restoration. To establish this programmer, the town and its structure must incorporate the province, the district, and the town. This well thought-out conceptualization allows for a rational approach regarding the social and economic functions that the town can undertake without hindering the historical values of this heritage. These decisions must offer solutions relative to the economy and modes of communication of the entire region and the principal function of the region in question. With regard to Kazimierz and Hoi An, this function is linked to tourism services, the hotel industry and the production of souvenirs. Hoi An could also include fishing and weaving, which are traditional trades.
Multi-sect oral research must be conducted in Hoi An:
1. Historical research pertaining to the historical evolution of the region.
2. Archaeological research, along with historical research, could explain the territorial expansion of the town. In Hoi An's case, this necessitates under-water archaeological research about a port of inter- national importance.
3. A determination on the state of the vestiges along several lines:
3.1. Value of architectural works and decorations (photographs and drawings),
3.2. Actual condition of the restorations,
3.3. Technical state of architectural groups,
3.4. Condition of the architectural infrastructure.
4. Architectural research designed to explain the historical and territorial development of the groups of vestiges.
5. Demographic research in the restored and preserved area. This research must provide data on the work and work spaces of the population. Research within different fields ascertains the actual condition of the vestiges, and on this basis, allows for the establishment of the concrete programmer of conservation and restoration. This programmer must include problems of territorial expansion, infrastructure, and technical services (water supply, drainage, electrical system). Economic development is vital to the life of a town. Similarly, the conservation of the structure of vestiges must be based on principles with the power of law. The delineation of new demographic zones must be contemplated. Industrial plants likely to harm the vestiges and their natural surroundings must be banned. In Kazimierz, we committed a criminal error in allowing the establishment of a chemical plant producing nitrates 15 kilometers from town. The smoke, dust and toxic fumes pollute the atmosphere, accelerating the erosion of the vestiges in a wide area. The same mistakes were made with the construction of the Nova Huts Iron-smelting plant near Krakova (Cracovia). A global programmer of restoration and conservation elaborated by qualified specialists in various fields will determine the components of the architectural complex, the technological needs, and the different stages of the renovation process. This programmer will serve as the basis for the elaboration of technical restoration projects, efforts to copy ancient edifices and create new structures in harmony with the old ones. The government must name a "Director of Conservation" who will oversee the restoration and conservation programmer, ensure that projects will conform to it, and control the work undertaken in old and new quarters. The work must be entrusted to a specialized entity having a sufficient number of competent and experienced workers at its disposal. After numerous years of working in Vietnam, I note that the Centre of Restoration of Cultural Works (Ministry of Culture) is up to this task. It knew how to gather traditional technicians and carpenters capable of restoring cultural vestiges.

The needs of today's population do not always coincide with conservation endeavors. This problem must be solved by acquiring private properties or moving part of the population to a new location. Frequently, repairs undertaken by the population do not respect principles of conservation, which leads to irreparable acts of minor vandalism. Immediate intervention is required in the case of urgent repairs to private homes. Everything depends, however, on the State's financial resources. In sum, the needed steps must be taken immediately in order to defend the integrity of the architectural complex of Hoi An.