Examining Overlooked Living Traditions: An Analysis of the Conservation of Sacred Places in the Cham Culture of Vietnam

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter constitutes a profound examination of the conservation of Cham living heritage sites and the Cham community’s perceptions in Vietnam. It lays bare an unfortunate reality that heritage preservation in Vietnam has predominantly centred on tangible forms of heritage, while the local cultural significance of tangible aspects of Cham temples has been woefully neglected.The Cham community’s conviction that the construction of a new pathway at their sacred site constitutes a grave offense to their worldview regarding cardinality and spiritual practice exemplifies this issue. Notwithstanding the addition’s intended purpose of facilitating visitor access to the temple, the Cham people construe it as a menace to their temple’s sacred character and a hindrance to their religious views and beliefs.The study’s findings underscore the pressing need to recognize Indigenous living heritage and its pivotal role in local communities in safeguarding heritage. In this regard, heritage conservation practices must heed the Cham community’s perceptions and beliefs, and accord equal weight to tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The chapter serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of neglecting cultural meaning in heritage conservation efforts and highlights the criticality of preserving cultural identity and heritage for posterity.