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The document discusses the impact of UNESCO World Heritage status on Hoi An, Vietnam, highlighting the irony that, despite the intention to preserve the site, it has led to significant commercialization and loss of local culture due to increased tourism. The influx of visitors has transformed traditional homes into businesses, driving locals away and diminishing the town's authenticity. This situation reflects a broader trend where many World Heritage Sites face similar challenges, exacerbated by modernization and globalization.

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16 views

LE2_AIO_EEP1

The document discusses the impact of UNESCO World Heritage status on Hoi An, Vietnam, highlighting the irony that, despite the intention to preserve the site, it has led to significant commercialization and loss of local culture due to increased tourism. The influx of visitors has transformed traditional homes into businesses, driving locals away and diminishing the town's authenticity. This situation reflects a broader trend where many World Heritage Sites face similar challenges, exacerbated by modernization and globalization.

Uploaded by

sandrajorgechento1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1 Extra Exam practice

UNESCO World Heritage Site: A Blessing or a Curse?

I With its narrow streets and picturesque wooden houses, the historic port town of Hoi An, Vietnam looks just like

it did centuries ago. But looks are where the similarity ends. Since it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in

1999, nothing has really been the same.

II This may sound ironic, since the purpose of giving World Heritage status to a site is actually to preserve it. World

Heritage Sites, from the Taj Mahal to the Grand Canyon, are considered to be of such great value to mankind that

they must be protected from being torn down or replaced by skyscrapers or parking lots.

III However, small places like Hoi An can’t always deal with the consequences. Receiving the UNESCO listing

encouraged a massive increase in tourism, from 160,300 visitors a year in 1999 to 1.6 million today. Most of the

traditional structures, which were once people’s homes, now function as hotels, restaurants and nearly identical

shops selling clothes, shoes and souvenirs.

IV For the locals, basic services are nearly gone; the last pharmacy selling traditional medicine is now a souvenir

shop. Prices have gone up so much that residents can no longer afford basic foods or a ride in a rickshaw, the local

bicycle taxi. Many have left for the newer part of town. The result is that precisely the quality that attracted

visitors in the first place – the town’s unique, authentic local culture – is being destroyed. Even the tourists are

beginning to notice, saying they feel like they’ve come to a Vietnamese-style Disney theme park, with no real life

and soul. Will tourists stop coming someday because of this?

V Hoi An is just one example of many World Heritage Sites that have suffered in the same way, but UNESCO can’t

take all the blame. With or without UNESCO, local cultures the world over are being lost as a result of

modernisation and globalisation. As long as people keep seeking out fascinating new places to explore, it will take

planning and effort to protect these unique cultures from the negative effects of tourism.

1
1 EXTRA EXAM PRACTICE

1 Choose the correct answer.


1. The first paragraph is ironic because ...... .
a. UNESCO has not achieved its goal in Hoi An
b. Hoi An looks like it did in the past
c. Hoi An has become a World Heritage Site
2. According to the text, how is Hoi An similar to a Disney theme park?
a. It’s commercialised.
b. The prices are very high.
c. It has a unique local culture.

2 Complete the sentences.


1. A Site cannot be torn down or replaced if it ...................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... .
2. Basic foods and a ride in a rickshaw are now ...............................................................
...................................................................................................................................... .
3. Hoi An is not the only ....................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... .

3 Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Find evidence in the text to justify your answers.
...... 1. Few people now live in the traditional structures in Hoi An.
...............................................................................................................................
...... 2. The traditional pharmacy now sells western medicines.
...............................................................................................................................
...... 3. UNESCO isn’t completely responsible for the loss of local cultures.
...............................................................................................................................
...... 4. Local cultures cannot be protected from the effects of tourism.
...............................................................................................................................

4 Rewrite the sentences without changing the original meaning.


1. Precisely the quality that attracted visitors is being destroyed by tourism.
Tourism is ......................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... .
2. Will tourists stop coming someday because of this?
Will tourists refuse .........................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... ?

5 Find words or expressions in the text that mean the same as:
1. humanity (paragraph II) ....................................................................
2. destroyed (paragraph II) ....................................................................
3. looking for (paragraph V) ....................................................................

6 Write a composition of about 100-150 words.


1. You are a resident of Hoi An. Write a letter to a relative about what life is like there today
compared to life 20 years ago.
2
1 EXTRA EXAM PRACTICE

2. The old parts of cities should be torn down and developed into modern areas. Do you agree
or disagree? Give your reasons.

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