Do Vietnamese still prefer foreign mascots?

(Baonghean) - The owner of a stone processing business in Quy Hop district said that stone lion statues are still a best-selling item.

In August 2014, after the Official Dispatch of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nghe An was one of the provinces that carried out a "campaign" to eliminate foreign mascots quite drastically. The Department of Culture and Sports (then the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism) advised on issuing many official dispatches to departments, branches, sectors, and People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns requesting inspection and review of the use and display of symbols, items, and mascots that are not in accordance with Vietnamese customs and traditions.

According to statistics as of October 2014, the whole province currently has 39 locations (32 relics and 7 agencies and offices) with strange symbols and mascots that are not in accordance with traditional customs (mainly stone lion statues). According to reports from localities, some relics and offices have proactively dismantled and relocated foreign mascots such as Mo Communal House relic, Hoang Ta Thon Temple, Tria Temple, Yen Thanh District Tax Department, etc.

With no solution, the pair of stone lions at Tien Canh Temple (Hung Binh Ward, Vinh City) are still placed behind the temple's garden. Photo: Phuong Chi

In a short period of time, thanks to strict compliance with the Ministry's regulations as well as widespread media effects, the elimination of foreign mascots has shown positive signs. However, looking back after nearly 3 years, this "campaign" has slowed down, the handling of removing foreign mascots in some relics and public offices is still "stuck"; the understanding to distinguish between pure Vietnamese and foreign mascots is still quite vague.

At some relics, the question of where to take the foreign mascots and how to handle them is still being debated. For example, at Tien Canh Temple, Hung Binh Ward, Vinh City, at the beginning of July 2017 when we arrived, the pair of stone lions identified as foreign mascots - offerings from a business since 2006 - had been moved from the front gate of the temple to the back garden.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Ha - the head of Tien Canh temple said that the move was carried out at the end of 2014, but 3 years have passed since then, and the temple still does not know how to deal with the pair of stone lions, even though they are placed in a very cramped temple grounds.

“We called the business to come and get it back, but they didn’t come. And the solution of throwing it away or destroying it is not good because this is an offering, it has spiritual meaning, no one dares to do that. Maybe we have to leave it there for the rest of our lives!” - Mr. Ha said.

The fear of “temple property” is the main reason why some localities are confused about the relocation and handling of foreign mascots. In Yen Thanh district - a locality that is considered to be resolute and proactive in implementing Official Dispatch 2662 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism - it is also acknowledged that if not handled skillfully, the relocation of foreign mascots will become offensive and lose the people's favor.

Ms. Phan Thi An - Head of the district's Department of Culture and Information shared that before proceeding with the relocation, the locality must carry out the procedure of burning incense at the relic, then notify businesses and individuals to donate artifacts. Along with the relocation, there must be propaganda, mobilization, and explanation for people to understand and comply, absolutely not doing it in a massive, coercive manner.

According to Mr. Ho Manh Ha - Deputy Head of Heritage Management Department, Department of Culture and Sports, the Ministry's document only stops at propaganda and does not provide sanctions or solutions to handle foreign mascots, so each locality must find its own solution.

Despite the official dispatch from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, foreign mascots still exist in some agencies, offices and private households. Right in Vinh City, it is not difficult to see stone lion and tiger statues... placed right in front of the entrance, such as at the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The staff of the Heritage Management Department, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that in 2014, a delegation of the Department came to work with the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, presented the content of Official Dispatch 2662 of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and requested to relocate the pair of stone lions placed in front of the lobby. However, because the authority of the Department is equal, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism could not direct the relocation, and the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs explained that the pair of stone lions were made and donated by students of a vocational school in the area, and if relocated, it would "displease".

Until now, after 3 years, the pair of stone lions still stand tall right in front of the entrance hall of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

In private households and small and medium-sized enterprises, buying new stone lion statues to “protect the house” is not uncommon. The owner of a stone processing enterprise in Quy Hop district said that stone lion statues are still a hot-selling item.

At the time when the removal of foreign mascots was "tense", the facility tried to switch to producing statues according to the pure Vietnamese mascot model, but customers were not very interested, so after a while, they returned to the old statue model.

According to research, the price of stone lion statues is about 4 - 5 million VND/pair, if made of marble, the price is higher, up to about 19 - 25 million VND/pair depending on the time and manufacturing technique.

A pair of stone lions in front of the entrance hall of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Photo: Phuong Chi

Regarding the current situation of using foreign mascots, Mr. Phan Van Hung - Deputy Director of Nghe An Museum said that awareness should not stop at eliminating stone lion statues, but must increase propaganda so that people understand the value of pure Vietnamese culture and the threat of "cultural invasion". If people do not clearly understand this, and only see the implementation of the document as a coercion, the root of the problem will be difficult to solve.

Mr. Phan Van Hung expressed: “Foreign mascots such as stone lions, stone tigers, stone dragons, etc. have been used by people for more than ten years now. Over time, they will consider those statues as “standard”. If we do not resolutely eliminate them, do not arouse and cultivate in people’s minds a love for pure Vietnamese culture, over time, those foreign things will be deeply imprinted in their awareness.”

Regarding the issue of distinguishing between pure Vietnamese and foreign mascots, Mr. Tran Manh Cuong - Han Nom officer, Nghe An Provincial Library, said that it is not difficult. Up to now, there are still many relics in our province that preserve original artifacts such as: Pair of stone dogs at Quan Lon Bung Temple (Dien Ngoc Commune, Dien Chau District); Pair of tigers and unicorns at Than Temple (Quynh Luu)...

The best solution to bring the image of pure Vietnamese mascots closer to the people is to organize many exhibitions about mascots (photos and replicas). The purpose of the exhibition is for the people as well as the artisans who create mascots to see with their own eyes and learn about the way of creating the image as well as the cultural significance of Vietnamese mascots in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people.

On the other hand, quickly publish books introducing the traditional sculpture and decoration art of Vietnam in general, Nghe An in particular, in the form of a visual guide. Books and documents need to be published in large quantities and widely distributed, thus raising awareness, encouraging artisans of craft villages to research and consult, and promote creativity to create products with Vietnamese identity, in line with the breath of the times.

Phuoc Anh