This announcement appeared after Lao Dong Newspaper had an article "Vietnam National Museum of Nature degraded, broken and fallen artifacts" reflecting the situation of many models and artifacts inside the museum at No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Nghia Do ward, Hanoi being cracked and broken, with disjointed details.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Dr. Doan Dinh Hung - Director of the Center for Geography and Environment (Vietnam National Museum of Nature) said that the termite situation at the museum is very serious. Termites destroy the display system, causing many items to degrade and be heavily damaged.
Mr. Hung informed that although the museum often has to temporarily close to treat insects and termites, after only a short time, this situation recurs, continuing to damage models, specimens and display cabinets.
The main reason is that the building is too old, and repairs are facing many difficulties. Not only the display area but also the offices are affected and seriously degraded.
We have announced the closure of the showroom from February 10th to carry out repairs and renovations of many items because the project has been operating for more than 10 years" - Dr. Hung said.
Dr. Hung informed that the Vietnam National Museum of Nature is currently implementing the construction of a new museum in Kieu Phu commune (Hanoi). Therefore, all resources are being focused on the project here.
Regarding the reporter's question about whether to close the museum at 18 Hoang Quoc Viet after the inauguration of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature in Kieu Phu, Mr. Hung said that there is still no official decision.
Whether to continue to maintain the museum's operation at the Hoang Quoc Viet facility or not will only be decided after the new museum goes into operation. However, the ability to maintain it is very difficult because the current building has seriously deteriorated," Mr. Hung said.
According to information from the museum's official website, the Vietnam National Museum of Nature was established under Decree 27/ND-CP, dated January 16, 2004. The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday weekly to serve visitors (opening hours are from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM).
The Nature Museum is located hidden inside the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The total area of the museum is more than 1,000m2, of which the exhibition area for visitors is 300m2 wide, with nearly 1,400 specimens.
At the time reporters recorded (January 22), the glass cabinet area displaying geological models, fossils and biological specimens had deteriorated. Many models were faded, peeling paint. Some models were cracked and broken at the joints, details were loose, making the original vivid image distorted and unconvincing.
Some samples displayed in glass cabinets are stained with color over time, and the labels are blurred. Others even lose the labels, making it difficult for viewers to receive scientific information.
Lights in many areas are not working, weak light makes the space more gloomy. Old glass cabinets, cracked and peeling in some places. The digital sa bàn model occupies a large area inside the museum, but at opening hours, this area turns off the lights and becomes pitch black.
Some simulated skeletons have broken small details, loose connections but have not been reinforced in time. Although stored in glass cabinets, many specimens are covered with thick dust.
