Lesson 13: Preservation linked to the promotion of the value of historical relics.

(Baonghean.vn) As one of the country's most special cultural destinations, Nghe An boasts a vast, diverse, unique, and rich cultural heritage spanning from the Old Stone Age to the present day. Currently, Nghe An province has nearly 1,395 historical sites, including 125 national-level sites and 104 provincial-level sites. To preserve and promote the value of this system of historical sites, a coordinated effort from the entire society is needed…

Public awareness

On April 1, 2011, the Provincial People's Committee issued a decision decentralizing the management of historical sites and scenic spots in the province. The decision clearly stated that the province manages 17 sites, districts, cities, and towns manage 239 sites, and communes, wards, and townships manage 1,139 sites out of a total of 1,395 sites in the province. Thus, the sites have been returned to the people; whether these sites are preserved and promoted depends on the awareness of the people.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Van commune (Thanh Chuong district), said: "In recent times, Dong Van has renovated and restored many historical sites, with the main funding coming from the people of the commune and their children working in Dong Van throughout the country. Typical examples include Cao Son Temple, which has been renovated twice with a budget of over 270 million VND, and is expected to have its courtyard and lower hall rebuilt at a cost of approximately 200 million VND in the near future. Ba Hoang Temple has also been restored with a budget of over 200 million VND… To acknowledge the contributions of the people, each restored temple is entrusted to the elderly association to organize fundraising, with a list of donors prominently displayed at the temple, and a golden book of donations maintained."

The Bach Ma Temple Festival (Thanh Chuong).

Not only did Dong Van commune mobilize voluntary social contributions from the people, but many other localities in the province also restored and renovated ancient communal houses and temples thanks to the people's donations. Many businesses and individuals donated billions of dong to restore historical sites. Notable examples include the Phung Phuc Kieu church in Nghi Thu commune (with 74 million dong contributed by the people), the people of Yen Luong and Mai Bang villages in Nghi Thuy ward, Cua Lo town, who restored two village temples with over 1.5 billion dong; and the people of Nam Dan district who restored 12 historical sites in the area with over 230 million dong... Ms. Tran Thi Chau contributed over 100 million dong to restore Cua Luy temple (Anh Son); Mr. Pham Thanh Long contributed over 800 million dong to restore Phuc Tho temple (Nghi Loc); and the family of Mr. Truong Van Phuong in Block 8, Nghi Thuy ward, with all seven sons contributing over 300 million dong to build the main hall of Yen Luong temple. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Ngu (Tuong Duong) has been doing a good job protecting the Cua Rao temple for over 20 years...

Local authorities' interest

Many localities such as Yen Thanh, Quynh Luu, Thanh Chuong, Nghi Loc, Dien Chau... have investment plans amounting to billions of VND to preserve, restore, and promote the value of historical sites and scenic spots in their areas. Most notably, Thanh Chuong – the first district in the province to directly advise on and incorporate mechanisms and policies to support the prevention of historical site degradation into the district People's Council resolution starting in 2005 – is also one of the districts that has done the best in socializing the restoration and preservation of historical sites.

Currently, Thanh Chuong district has 15 provincial-level relics and 10 national-level relics out of a total of over 200 relics. Over time, due to natural disasters, most relics in the district are in an alarming state of deterioration. Faced with this reality, the Department of Culture and Information, as the unit directly managing the system of historical relics in the district, has planned and submitted many suggestions to the people regarding the restoration and preservation of relics to meet their cultural and spiritual needs. These suggestions have been approved by the competent authorities and included in the District People's Council resolution. In previous years, the district allocated funds to support the prevention of relic deterioration, increasing from 90 million VND to 100 million VND, and in 2011 to 450 million VND. To date, 28 historical sites have been restored using this funding, with many receiving support for restoration 2 to 3 times, such as: Hai Hau Temple and Nguyen Phung Family Church (2 times, 45 million VND), Nguyen Duy Family Church and Sui Dien Trang tree (Thanh Phong) 2 times, 45 million VND, Tran Hung Hoc Temple - Thanh Xuan (3 times, 45 million VND)... Mr. Vo Van Hai - Head of the Culture and Information Department of the district said: Most historical sites in the district, after being restored and repaired, have become effective. Besides Bach Ma Temple, which hosts an annual festival, Ba Chua Temple (Thanh Dong), Thuong Village communal house (Hanh Lam), Sui Dien Trang tree (Thanh Phong)... associated with the Soviet-Nghe Tinh movement, are celebrated by the district in conjunction with the founding day of the Party. Other sites such as temples, communal houses, and pagodas are places where locals and tourists from all over come to offer prayers on the 1st and 15th of each month. When children and grandchildren who live far away return to visit their hometown, they often go to the temple to pray for peace and prosperity.

For example, in Nghi Loc district, 87 relics have been included in the management classification list, including 8 national-level relics, 4 provincial-level relics, and 2 relics currently undergoing procedures for classification (Tam Toa Temple - Nghi Cong Bac and Bach Y Tuyet Son Bodhisattva Pagoda - Nghi Tien). The district is currently finalizing a project titled "Strengthening the management, preservation, and promotion of the value of historical and cultural relics in the district." From 2005 to the present, the district and communes have mobilized nearly 2 billion VND from social contributions to preserve and prevent the degradation of relics. Examples include Nguyen Xi Temple (Nghi Hop), Cua Temple (Nghi Khanh), Phuong Cuong Temple (Nghi Phong), and Chinh Vi Temple (Nghi Xuan)...

Ms. Nguyen Thi An, a museum and relic specialist in Nghi Loc district, said: "Most of the relics in the area are basically well protected. Every year, many activities are organized that attract a large number of people and tourists from all over to participate, such as the Nguyen Xi Temple Festival (Nghi Hop) held in the second lunar month every year, the Cua Temple Festival (Nghi Khanh) held on the 6th day of the third lunar month, the Nam Giao ceremony held every three years at Tam Toa Temple (Nghi Cong Bac)... Some localities also organize well-conducted competitions in schools and extracurricular activities to learn about historical and cultural relics in the area, about famous people of Nghi Loc associated with revolutionary relics, thereby contributing to educating the younger generation about patriotic traditions and fostering love for their homeland."

Museum system

Units such as the Nghe An Museum, the Nghe Tinh Soviet Museum, the Management Board of Historical Sites and Scenic Spots, the Kim Lien Historical Site, and Ho Chi Minh Square have performed quite well in researching, collecting, preserving, displaying, and introducing artifacts. According to statistics, over 300,000 documents and artifacts are currently being preserved, displayed, and utilized at museums and historical sites. Among these are many valuable artifacts such as: the collection of red self-defense weapons, Soviet drums, items used for sheltering and protecting the Party, and artifacts related to President Ho Chi Minh and the Nghe Tinh Soviet movement. In addition to on-site displays, museums have collaborated with local authorities in the province to organize mobile exhibitions, scientific seminars, cultural exchanges for students with historical witnesses, and competitions about prominent figures and the history of their homeland... contributing to the education of historical and cultural traditions for the public, especially students. The process of compiling dossiers and ranking historical sites is accelerating. On average, 17-18 sites are ranked each year. The system of historical sites, scenic spots, and museums in the province are attractive cultural and historical tourism destinations, welcoming tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors annually for sightseeing, research, and cultural and spiritual activities.

Mr. Hoang Minh Truyen, Director of the Nghe An Museum, said: Currently, the Museum not only conducts on-site research but also has the responsibility of providing professional guidance on research, protection, and promotion of historical relics in the 20 districts, cities, and towns. It also directs the traditional houses of the districts, communes, and agencies.

From remote mountainous districts to midland and lowland districts, museum staff are present everywhere to meet witnesses, research historical sites, and collect artifacts. The success of these collection efforts and the results of collaborative archaeological excavations with German and Japanese experts in Lang Vac, Dong Mom, Hong Long, Ru Ta, Ky Hoa, Nghi Xuan, etc., have brought the museum thousands of valuable artifacts and documents. The museum has built a warehouse to preserve more than 10,000 artifacts and documents. It has organized many thematic exhibitions introducing the history and culture of Nghe An province, such as: Ancient architecture and art of Nghe An - Thinh Hoa, Nghe An - Thinh Hoa at the dawn of history, and 50 years since the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam.Male...At the same time, the museum built a memorial exhibition for famous figures such as Nguyen Du, Phan Boi Chau, Tran Phu... and dozens of traditional houses (rooms) at the grassroots level in the Soviet homeland. In addition, the museum also has the task of protecting and promoting historical sites and scenic spots in the area.

Establish the Nghe An Cultural Heritage Association

As the state management agency for culture, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has made many efforts in management, direction, and guidance, as well as in promoting and mobilizing the entire population to participate in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the homeland. Under the direction of the department, its affiliated units (5 museums and relics, the Folk Song Theater - now the Center for Preservation and Promotion of Nghe An Folk Song Heritage, and the Folk Arts Association), along with the district's traditional houses and local traditional rooms, have done a good job in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

However, the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in the province still face many shortcomings. Many types of intangible cultural heritage, especially that of the mountainous and ethnic minority communities, are at risk of being lost. The degradation of historical sites remains alarming. Many historical sites (especially village communal houses) are neglected (by both the government and the people), resulting in some being destroyed, others becoming marketplaces, and still others being used to keep cattle. The promotion of the value of traditional festivals is still limited. Regular funding for preventing the degradation of historical sites in localities is still scarce. The encroachment and violations of historical sites and scenic spots have not been thoroughly addressed. Illegal construction and improper restoration of historical sites, distorting them, still occur. There are even cases of falsifying records, leading to the revocation of recognition for already recognized historical sites. The digging up and theft of ancient artifacts still occur in some places. The technical infrastructure, the quality of personnel, and the policies and mechanisms in the field of heritage have not kept pace. The comprehensive survey of intangible cultural heritage has only just begun, leading to difficulties in developing conservation and promotion plans for the province's cultural heritage. Due to the enormous volume of cultural heritage, conservation faces many challenges, and it is inevitable that many types of cultural heritage will be lost...

Mr. DoanMale- The Head of the Heritage Department of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated: To better preserve and promote the value of cultural heritage, in the coming time, the department will continue to strengthen the dissemination of the Law on Cultural Heritage. Focus will be placed on completing the project "Preservation, exploitation and promotion of the cultural heritage of Nghe An province". A regional plan for historical sites combined with cultural tourism areas will be developed along the following routes: Route 1 – Vinh City area; Route 2: Vinh –MaleRoutes include: Dan – Thanh Chuong; Route 3: Vinh - Cua Lo; Route 4: Vinh - Quynh Luu and the cultural areas along Highway 48; Route 5: Vinh – Yen Thanh – Do Luong and Route 7. In addition, localities with many rare and valuable heritage sites need to develop specific conservation plans, conducting inventories every five years to understand the current state of the heritage. Socializing heritage conservation is one of the important goals for promoting the value of heritage. And importantly, the establishment of the Nghe An Cultural Heritage Association should be expedited to provide a legal basis for better conservation and promotion of Nghe An's cultural heritage.

Thanh Thuy