Chinatowns Explored: a Comparative Study of Chinese Cultural Preservation in Urban Contexts of Ho Chi Minh City and Milan

侨民社区的文化遗产保护是一个动态过程，受城市治理、经济结构和社会政治框架的影响。作为移民聚居地的象征性存在，唐人街在文化传承与适应之间寻找平衡，其可持续性深受所在城市更广泛的城市环境影响。本研究探讨了胡志明市和米兰如何影响其唐人街——堤岸区和保罗·萨尔皮区的文化保护策略及其结果。 本研究采用定性比较研究方法，结合文化保护理论、侨民研究、城市社会学和文化遗产研究。通过对历史文献、政策报告等二手资料的分析，以及对唐人街社区成员（包括商人、文化领袖和居民）的参与式观察与半结构化访谈，本研究考察了政府政策、经济模式和社区结构对文化传承的影响。 研究结果表明，城市治理在决定这些社区采用何种文化保护方式方面发挥着关键作用。在胡志明市的堤岸区，政府主导的同化政策和城市现代化进程削弱了制度化的文化传承，迫使社区依赖非正式网络、宗教机构和家庭结构来维持传统。相比之下，米兰的保罗·萨尔皮区在市场驱动的城市重建下发生了转型，唐人街的角色从以社区为中心的空间转变为以消费为导向的文化展示场所，其中商业活动逐渐取代了深层次的社区文化互动，成为文化表达的主要媒介。 本研究的发现有助于更广泛的迁徙、城市融合和文化遗产可持续性讨论，突出了侨民社区在城市变迁过程中保持文化认同所面临的挑战。未来研究应扩大比较范围，涵盖更多城市的唐人街，并探讨数字网络在文化传承中的作用。理解这些动态对于制定兼顾文化遗产保护与现代化发展的城市政策至关重要，以促进全球化城市中文化多样性的共存。

The preservation of cultural heritage in diasporic communities is a dynamic process shaped by urban governance, economic structures, and socio-political frameworks. Chinatowns, as emblematic migrant enclaves, navigate the tension between cultural retention and adaptation, with their sustainability heavily influenced by the broader urban contexts in which they exist. This study examines how the host cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Milan shape the strategies and outcomes of cultural preservation in their respective Chinatowns—Chợ Lớn and Paolo Sarpi. The research employs a qualitative comparative approach, integrating cultural preservation theories, diaspora studies, urban sociology, and heritage studies. Through secondary sources—including historical documents and policy reports—and primary data collected via participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the study analyzes the impact of state policies, economic models, and community structures on cultural retention in both districts. The findings reveal that urban governance plays a crucial role in determining the forms of cultural preservation adopted by these communities. In Chợ Lớn, state-led assimilation policies and urban modernization have eroded institutional cultural transmission, forcing the community to rely on informal networks, religious institutions, and family structures to sustain traditions. In contrast, Paolo Sarpi’s transformation has been shaped by market-driven urban redevelopment, shifting Chinatown’s role from a community-centric space to a consumer-oriented showcase, where cultural representation is increasingly mediated through commercial activities rather than deep-rooted communal engagement. These insights contribute to broader discussions on migration, urban integration, and cultural heritage sustainability, highlighting the challenges diasporic communities face in maintaining cultural identity amid urban transformation. Future research should expand the comparative scope to other Chinatowns and explore the role of digital networks in fostering cultural continuity. Understanding these dynamics is critical to developing urban policies that support the coexistence of cultural heritage and modernization in global cities.