The Deputy Director, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Bac Ninh Province Vietnam, Mr. Trương Quang Hải will receive the IBR Heritage Heroes Award on July 23, 2025, at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi. Below is a brief overview of his contributions:

Appointment and Role

On July 2, 2025, at a conference organized by the People’s Committee of Bac Ninh Province, Mr. Trương Quang Hải—former Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Giang Province—was appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh Province. This appointment is part of the newly formed administrative structure following the provincial merger.

• In his role as a department-level leader for the 2025–2030 term, Mr. Hải will:
• Advise on policies and organize cultural, sports, and tourism activities that reflect local identity
• Promote tourism development post-merger, leveraging the strengths of both Bac Ninh and Bac Giang
• Propose and implement programs for community culture, event-based social development, heritage preservation, spiritual tourism, sports, and ecotourism.

Notable Achievements

Promoting Cultural Heritage Preservation

As Director of Bac Giang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (from October 1, 2022), Mr. Hải led initiatives to preserve and enhance the value of nearly 800 traditional festivals and hundreds of historical and cultural relics. During the 2021–2025 period, Bac Giang Province invested over VND 240 billion to restore and protect more than 100 relics.

Supporting Traditional Folk Arts

Mr. Hải oversaw the establishment of 40 active clubs dedicated to Quan họ folk singing, Ca trù, Then singing, and Chầu văn—all recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. These efforts extended beyond domestic promotion to include international exchange and dissemination.

Developing Culture-Linked Tourism

He organized the annual “Bac Giang Culture and Tourism Week” (held in 2025 from February 8–13), featuring Zen Buddhist ceremonies, community culture exhibitions, and eco-tourism experiences. A highlight was the Tây Yên Tử spiritual tourism route, which attracted approximately 400,000 visitors.

Mr. Hải also promoted the expansion of community-based tourism in areas such as Sơn Động, Việt Yên, and Lục Ngạn, contributing to increased provincial revenue.

Advancing International Heritage Recognition

He directed the compilation of scientific dossiers for submission to UNESCO, seeking recognition for chèo (Vietnamese traditional opera) and the Yên Tử – Vĩnh Nghiêm – Côn Sơn – Kiếp Bạc relic complex. He also proposed that festivals such as An Châu (Sơn Động) be added to the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Hosting Academic Conferences

Under Mr. Hải’s leadership, Bac Giang hosted a national scientific conference on the Buddhist cultural space of Tây Yên Tử, featuring experts from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.

Under Mr. Trương Quang Hải’s guidance, Bac Giang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism not only preserved but significantly advanced heritage conservation, promoted cultural values through tourism, and laid a strong foundation for sustainable development.

Mr. Trương Quang Hải’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to cultural preservation and tourism development have left an indelible mark on both Bac Giang and Bac Ninh Provinces. His efforts have not only safeguarded Vietnam’s rich intangible heritage but also elevated its global cultural presence.

The IBR Heritage Heroes Award stands as a testament to his enduring contributions and serves as an inspiration for future generations committed to preserving and celebrating cultural identity.