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Nearly 300 years after the era of the Red Seal Ships, Japan rejoined efforts to study and preserve Hoi An’s cultural heritage during the 1990 International Conference on Hoi An Ancient Town, alongside 60 scholars from Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, Thailand, the United States, Australia, and Vietnam.

The First Japanese Researchers in Hoi An

According to Prof. Dr. Kikuchi Seiichi (Showa Women's University, Japan), since the Meiji period (1868–1912), Japanese researchers had been conducting surveys on Japanese settlements in Southeast Asia.

Japanese artists perform on the streets of Hoi An in support of the "One Hour for a Cleaner Hoi An" campaign. (Photo: Phuong Thao)

In 1909, Kojima Masanori visited Hoi An to study the “Japanese Bridge” (Chua Cau) and the graves of Japanese people in the area. In 1922, Segawa Kame researched locations related to the "Japanese Quarter" (Tung Ban Dinh) and introduced Hoi An to Japanese media.

In 1928, Kuroita Katsumi and Iwao Seiichi explored Japanese-related relics in Hoi An, conducting surveys and restoring Japanese graves. They also studied the stele Pho Da Son Linh Trung Phat (dated 1640) in Hoa Nghiem Cave at Marble Mountains, which bears the names of Japanese contributors who financed the construction of a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. In 1933, Matsumoto Nobuhiro continued to research Japanese-related historical sites in Hoi An.

Prof. Dr. Kikuchi Seiichi noted that among early 20th-century Japanese scholars studying Hoi An, Iwao Seiichi made the most significant contributions. He researched the geographical, administrative, and economic aspects of the Japanese community in Hoi An from the late 16th to early 17th centuries and presented his findings at academic forums in Japan.

The 1990 International Conference on Hoi An Ancient Town marked a turning point in Hoi An studies. In 1991, the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs (Monbusho) sent experts to assess Hoi An’s ancient town, initiating research collaborations with local authorities.

Scientific Basis for Heritage Recognition

Since 1992, the Institute for International Culture (Showa Women’s University) has conducted surveys in various fields, including geography, geology, history, archaeology, culture, and architecture, to support the “Hoi An Ancient Town Conservation” project. The institute became a hub for scholars from Japanese universities and research centers and helped secure funding for the project.

The Hoi An - Japan Cultural Exchange is an annual event that attracts a large number of Japanese tourists to Hoi An. (Photo: Hoi An Cultural Center)

In 1996, a scientific workshop on Hoi An’s preservation was held in the ancient town. Japan also organized annual seminars in Tokyo with representatives from management agencies and researchers from both Japan and Vietnam to evaluate the progress of the conservation project.

Between 1993 and 1998, the Institute for International Culture sent Japanese archaeological teams to investigate and excavate key sites in Hoi An’s ancient town. Their findings provided insight into the town's early settlements and transformations since the 17th century.

After a decade of renewed research (1990–1999), Japanese scholars produced extensive interdisciplinary studies that deepened the understanding of Hoi An’s historical and cultural significance. These studies formed the scientific basis for UNESCO’s recognition of Hoi An as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1999.

Following Hoi An’s World Heritage designation, Japan continued to support the preservation and promotion of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Hoi An. Through research collaborations, cultural exchanges, and international promotion efforts, Japan played a key role in strengthening Hoi An’s global image, especially in Japan.

Strengthening Community Bonds

In 2022, the Hoi An Heritage Conservation Center initiated a restoration project for the Japanese Bridge (Cau Pagoda). The project had a budget of 20.2 billion VND, funded by Quang Nam Province and Hoi An City, with financial support from the Sumitomo Foundation and technical assistance from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). On August 3, 2024, the restored Japanese Bridge was inaugurated during the 20th Vietnam-Japan Culture Week. This project not only preserved a significant landmark but also reinforced the strong cultural ties between Hoi An, Quang Nam, and Japan.

The Japanese Bridge has undergone seven restorations throughout history, with several supported by Japanese organizations. (Photo: K.L)

Over the past 35 years, Japanese-funded conservation projects have yielded profound and comprehensive results. By maintaining the authenticity of Hoi An’s heritage—preserving its architectural, cultural, and historical integrity—these efforts have elevated Hoi An’s status on the global heritage map.

Additionally, the success of cultural heritage cooperation has boosted Hoi An’s tourism appeal, especially among Japanese visitors. Cultural exchange programs have strengthened community engagement, encouraging local participation in heritage conservation and tourism development.

Through collaboration, Japan has also shared conservation techniques and technologies and contributed to training professionals in heritage preservation and management in Hoi An and Quang Nam.

Japan’s partnership with Hoi An extends beyond heritage conservation. The shared efforts have created lasting cultural and historical values, helping to spread Hoi An’s unique heritage to the world.

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