HCM City, Dec. 10 -- Ho Chi Minh City 's authorities need to focus on five solutions to effectively preserve cultural heritage in the city, according to Pham Duc Hai, Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Council.

Experts and local authorities discussed preservation efforts at a programme organised by the HCM City People's Committee and the HCM City Television Station (HTV).

Hai said it was important to strengthen state management to prevent the deterioration of heritage sites, adding that "what is lost can never return". The role of communities should be enhanced and authorities should speed up the compilation of records about existing relics and heritage sites. These records could be used as a basis to develop effective sol...