The management, preservation, and promotion of the national treasures value of the Oc Eo culture in An Giang Province associated with sustainable tourism development

Abstract

An Giang is a province in the Mekong Delta (Southwestern region of Vietnam). This is also the land belonging to the territory of the ancient Funan kingdom and associated with the Oc Eo culture. The research results have contributed to proving that during the existence of the ancient kingdom of Funan (from the beginning of the Common Era to the 7^th centuries), the central area of Oc Eo – Ba The was one of the important ports and a major religious center. Up to this time, in An Giang province, a large number of relics and objects belonging to the famous Oc Eo culture have been discovered, including 8 unique artifacts recognized as National Treasures. Based on the theory, the practice of survey, and the research on the Oc Eo cultural heritage of An Giang, the article analyzes the characteristics and the special historical – cultural – scientific values of these eight national treasures, thereby identifying the potential of the Oc Eo cultural heritage associated with sustainable tourism development. In connection with that and through the current situation of national treasures and Oc Eo cultural heritage management, conservation, and promotion in general, the article proposes solutions to exploit this heritage value associated with the comprehensive economic - cultural - social development of An Giang province.