In June, Lao Dong Newspaper published a series of articles reflecting on the work of displaying, preserving, protecting, ensuring security - safety and preserving national treasures, heritages, relics... across the country. The article not only reflects the current situation but also acknowledges the opinions of experts and managers on the work of preserving and ensuring security and safety for national treasures, and the necessity of the cooperative relationship between the public and private sector in protecting and promoting the value of heritage.
Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh issued an official dispatch requesting the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) to preside over and coordinate with relevant ministries, branches and localities to strengthen guidance, inspection and supervision of the work of displaying, preserving and protecting national treasures and the work of preserving, restoring and embellishing relics and heritages, ensuring effectiveness in managing and promoting the value of cultural heritage in localities. Issues beyond their authority must be compiled and reported to competent authorities before June 30.
Up to now, a series of provinces and cities have completed reviewing, inventorying and reporting to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the results of implementation, implementation of measures to manage and protect valuable relics, artifacts, relics and antiques in the area.
Recognizing the current situation and difficulties
In particular, in Hanoi, by the end of 2024, there were 40 groups in the city, with 351 artifacts recognized as national treasures, displayed and preserved at many locations such as Hanoi Museum, Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center - Hanoi, People's Committees of districts and private collections Nguyen Van Kinh.
According to Ms. Bach Lien Huong, Director of the Department of Culture - Sports of Hanoi City, national treasures at the Hanoi Museum, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam and the Center for Heritage Conservation of Thang Long - Hanoi are arranged in a separate storage warehouse. Units install a separate security camera surveillance system 24/24; regularly maintain periodically and develop a plan to add additional systems for anti-theft, anti-corruption, security (alarm system, wireless sensors) locking, security, etc.
The Department of Culture - Sports recorded a number of shortcomings and difficulties in the process of renovating and embellishing national treasures at relics according to regulations.
"The professional and technical guidance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the conservation of national treasures according to each type and material material material is still limited. In addition, national treasures are Buddha statues at relics, a special type, the restoration and embellishment is very complicated and difficult, so some localities are still confused in the process of implementing procedures for restoration and embellishment of national treasures according to regulations," said the leader of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports.
The current status of protection and conservation of relics, antiques, and relics is also recorded in reports from other localities such as Ha Nam, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, etc.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province - said that based on the characteristics of materials, functions, and current status of national treasures, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province has consulted with competent authorities, specialized agencies, experts, and scientists, and directed the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Historical - Cultural Relic Conservation Center and the Provincial Museum to implement measures to protect and preserve national treasures.
The above artifacts and groups of artifacts are mainly made of stone and are located outdoors, so preservation is very difficult, these artifacts are directly affected by weather, climate, human sightseeing activities... The artifacts and groups of artifacts are being kept at the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital National Special Relic Site but do not have separate space to preserve, display and promote the value of relics, relics, and antiques.
"For the current stone material placed in outdoor space, in addition to being coated with nano many years ago, there is currently no other measure to preserve the artifact for a long time and stably. The use of a roof does not ensure aesthetics and harmony with the architectural space of a relic, requiring sustainable conservation measures, ensuring harmony, meeting the requirements of preservation and promoting the value of artifacts.
Regarding the "Buddha Temple Collection" at the Provincial Museum, the storage area is small, there is no separate storage and display room for this treasure, so the preservation work is only for prevention, not for treatment", said Mr. Cuong.
Proposal to strengthen guidelines for protecting national relics and treasures
The Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports proposed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issue regulations on the conservation of national treasures for each specific material; build a unified and synchronous National Treasure Recognition Certificate to honor the values of National Treasures.
At the same time, localities are required to propose specific and detailed instructions on the dossier for determining the legal ownership of non-public organizations and individuals for national treasures. Strengthen professional training and management skills for professional staff of museums and relics on management, protection and conservation.
Previously, responding to Lao Dong Newspaper, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong said that the Ministry had issued an official dispatch requesting localities to strengthen management, protection and promotion of the value of relics and scenic spots. The inventory and review of treasures is part of the task of localities that must report to the Ministry and the Government before June 30. After receiving the report, the Ministry will evaluate and guide localities to complete appropriate management and protection plans. A representative of the Department of Cultural Heritage informed that the unit is synthesizing reports from localities.
