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Hanoi Museum is not only famous for its inverted pyramid architecture, with its gradually wider steps towards the upper floors. This architecture is currently unique in Vietnam and is rated by Business magazine as one of the most beautiful museums in the world.
The Hanoi Museum's fame also lies in the fact that after more than 10 years of inauguration, it has almost... nothing to display.
Hanoi Museum was inaugurated in October 2010 on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi. The project was estimated to have a total investment of more than 2,300 billion VND. Phase one of the project, including the museum building, was completed in 2010 (worth 1,600 billion VND). Phase two, including the exhibition of artifacts, was estimated at about 800 billion VND, and was expected to be completed in 2015, but was later adjusted to 2019. In mid-2020, the museum announced that it would temporarily close to visitors to conduct a general exhibition, expected to last until June 2021.
Then in 2022, Hanoi leaders surveyed and inspected 5 important projects and works in the area. Regarding the Hanoi Museum project, the city proposed to study the implementation of an ordering mechanism to speed up the disbursement process, and complete the exhibition by June 2024 at the latest.
Up to this point, November 2024, the Hanoi Museum has not yet completed the collection and display of artifacts. That means that nearly 15 years since its inauguration, the Hanoi Museum has not yet performed its function properly, serving visitors and learning about Hanoi.
Evidence of waste is not only in the Hanoi Museum, in the current museum system, the number of museums reaching the expected capacity is low, not to mention many magnificent museums but have no visitors. Typically, the Museum of Cultural Space of Ethnic Groups in the Dong Van Stone Plateau started construction in August 2017, on a planned area of 9,000m². Of which, the construction area is over 1,000m²; the project is designed in the model of typical houses of the H'Mong ethnic group in the Stone Plateau with the following items: Exhibition house, reception, service; Traditional H'Mong ethnic house and other auxiliary items such as yard, garden... The museum has been completed, put into use, displaying, preserving artifacts as well as simulating images of ethnic groups in the Stone Plateau for domestic and foreign tourists to visit and learn about the land and people in the northernmost part of the country. However, this museum cannot avoid being always in a state of desolation and silence. Many construction items have signs of deterioration, the doors are closed and locked.
Or in Quang Ngai, at the beginning of the year, the provincial police investigation agency initiated a criminal case to investigate signs of violations of regulations on management and use of state assets causing loss and waste in the project of the Provincial Multi-purpose Cultural Heritage Promotion Center. This project is located in the premises of the Quang Ngai Provincial Museum (Le Trung Dinh Street, Quang Ngai City).
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In early October 2024, at the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee to seek opinions on the investment policy of the national target program on cultural development for the period 2025 - 2035, Party Central Committee member, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly - Nguyen Khac Dinh raised the issue: The next 5 years must be a period of cultural development, focusing on industries that do not require much budget. Because there are many things that do not require much of the State budget but we can still develop. At the same time, focus on cultural industries to increase revenue, using culture to nurture culture.
The Vice Chairman of the National Assembly also frankly proposed to reduce the problem of construction.
Of course, the problem here is not whether to build or not to build, but how to maximize and most effectively promote the museum system, placing museums in the development of the cultural industry.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Huy, former Director of the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, once said: In today's society, museums play a role as cultural and educational centers, providing the public with insight into both history and contemporary developments. Museums hold a wide range of artifacts and stories, from natural history to technological and artistic advances. These artifacts are invaluable in helping the public understand human achievements, cultural diversity and the challenges we face.
“Museums are more than just displays; they also promote learning and public engagement. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and outreach activities, museums invite people to delve deeper into topics they might not otherwise be exposed to, broadening their horizons and encouraging lifelong learning.”
In short, through its activities, museums contribute to the development of society by promoting scientific, ethical and aesthetic knowledge among the public.
The necessity of museums in the current context is demonstrated in Decision No. 991/QD-TTg approving the Planning of the network of cultural and sports facilities for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045, signed by Party Central Committee member and Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long at the end of September 2024. Notably, the planning clearly states the task of building two new national museums. The planning sets out the direction for the development of the national cultural facility network, including: Museum network, library network; Cinema facility network; Performing arts facility network; Cultural and artistic exhibition facility network; Cultural center network in the country; Vietnamese cultural centers abroad; Research and training facilities network specializing in culture and arts; Cultural and tourism village of Vietnamese ethnic groups; Cultural data digitization facility.
The plan clearly states the task of researching and building two new national museums (Vietnam Military History Museum, Vietnam Museum of Nature) and a number of specialized museums such as: Vietnam Money Museum, Vietnam Architecture Museum, Vietnam Education Museum, and Mekong Delta Agriculture Museum.
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Positive signs have gradually returned to museums. The most typical is the new Vietnam Military History Museum in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, which officially opened to serve the people and tourists from November 1, 2024. On the opening day, the museum welcomed tens of thousands of visitors. After a temporary closure for three days (from November 3 to 5, 2024), the museum will welcome visitors again and will certainly be an attractive place to educate patriotism and pride in people, especially children.
Or in Nghe An, the Department of Culture and Sports of this province is seeking opinions from organizations and individuals on the draft Resolution of the Provincial People's Council regulating the collection and management and use of entrance fees at public museums under the Department. According to the draft, the fee applicable to visitors is 30,000 VND/person/visit. At the same time, it continues to be free for subjects such as children under 6 years old, people with severe disabilities, meritorious people and people in difficult areas.
According to the explanation, Nghe An is one of the few provinces and cities in the country that has not yet implemented the collection of fees for visiting relics, scenic spots, museums and cultural works in the area. Besides the view that it is not the right time to collect fees, many opinions say that this is necessary, meeting practical needs and the general trend in preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage, especially in the digital transformation process. The collection of fees aims to offset the costs of collecting, managing and using the source of entrance fees at the unit; supplement funds for regular activities and preservation, restoration, repair and contribute to further improving the quality of services for visitors. At the same time, gradually raise awareness and create awareness and habits for people in contributing to the preservation and promotion of the value of the nation's cultural heritage.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau, General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Historical Science Association, said: Museums should be places to make money, especially museums in big cities.
To do this, museums must innovate. First, they must boldly innovate their thinking and the way they do museums. Museums are not just places to preserve antiques and treasures, but they need to be places for social criticism, telling the story of contemporary life. Museums are not only places to preserve historical and cultural values of the past, but they need to become places to connect the past, present and future, linked to the development of society.
At the same time, diversify the forms of display, introduce various types of objects and collections. Museum activities need to be closely linked with the local community to create conditions for people to preserve and promote the cultural identity of the community. Through exhibitions and displays at museums with community participation, the community needs to be encouraged and inspired to learn more about their own cultural traditions, arousing pride in the identity and heritage that the community holds.
Museums also need to organize programs, exhibitions, and displays that reflect the lives of communities in the past and present, with the community participating in presenting ideas, implementing, and enjoying the products.
Finally, carry out rapid and drastic digital transformation in the museum sector, research and establish a comprehensive marketing program, develop a museum promotion plan, and create a unique identity for local museums in both form and content.
These are the things that need to be done so that museums do not become symbols of waste but rather places to preserve the past - honor the present - and suggest the future.
