Strengthening the management of donations and sponsorships at historical and cultural relics

In recent times, the implementation of the provisions of Decree No. 110/2018/ND-CP dated August 29, 2018 of the Government on the management and organization of festivals, Circular No. 04/2023/TT-BTC dated January 19, 2023 of the Ministry of Finance guiding the management and financial revenue and expenditure for the organization of festivals and donations, sponsorship for relics and festival activities, and the State management of donations and sponsorships at historical and cultural relics nationwide has achieved certain results. Most localities have developed and issued documents regulating the management of donations and sponsorships, ensuring that they are consistent with the reality of each relic and local customs and practices. The revenue from donations and sponsorships at the relics has been used publicly and transparently, not only for the restoration and embellishment of the relics and the organization of festivals, creating attraction for tourists, but also contributing positively to community activities through activities to support people in difficult circumstances, orphans with no place to rely on, support the construction of houses for poor households, build rural roads, build welfare works to serve the community, etc.

However, in addition to the achieved results, the State management of donations and sponsorships still has some limitations. The data reported on the collection and disbursement of donations and sponsorships of relics, including those ranked as special national relics, only partially reflects and is not complete. There are still some historical and cultural relics that have not reported promptly and fully on the management of donations and sponsorships; have not installed cameras to monitor at the points of receiving and counting donations and sponsorships. There is still a situation where tourists place many types of money on altars at relics, which destroys the solemnity and purity of places of worship. The management of donations and sponsorships is sometimes and in some places not strict, posing risks of loss and theft...

In the above situation, to further improve the effectiveness and efficiency of State management of donations and sponsorships at historical and cultural relics nationwide, and better perform the tasks of building, preserving, reviving and developing the nation's culture as stated at the National Cultural Conference on November 24, 2021, the Prime Minister requested:

1. Chairman of People's Committee of provinces and centrally-run cities:

a) Study the content of the report and recommendations of the Ministry of Finance on the results of the overall inspection of the management of donations and sponsorships at historical-cultural relics nationwide in 2023 in Official Dispatch No. 174/BC-BTC dated June 26, 2024, according to the assigned functions, tasks and authority, proactively perform appropriate, timely and effective tasks and solutions according to regulations to strengthen the management of donations and sponsorships at historical-cultural relics; review local documents and regulations related to the management of financial revenue and expenditure for festival organization and donations and sponsorships for relics and festival activities to issue a new Decision or amend and supplement it accordingly according to the regulations of the Ministry of Finance; Direct relevant organizations and individuals to publicly and transparently collect and spend donations and sponsorships for relics and festival activities and promptly provide information when requested by competent authorities in accordance with the provisions of law.

b) Strengthen propaganda work, create social consensus, mobilize participation, sympathy and support of all classes of people; develop periodic inspection plans and strengthen inspection and supervision, ensure that donations and sponsorships for relics and festival activities are used strictly, publicly, transparently, effectively, for the right purposes and in accordance with regulations; promptly detect, rectify and strictly handle organizations and individuals who violate the law; absolutely do not allow waste, negativity, corruption, or take advantage of belief and religious activities for personal gain; contribute to preserving and promoting the fine traditional culture of the nation and actively contribute to the conservation, restoration and embellishment of relics, the organization of festivals, and the promotion of the value of Vietnamese national cultural heritage.

2. Ministers of Ministries:Literaturechemical, Sports and Travel, FinanceAccording to assigned functions, tasks and authorities, it is responsible for guiding the People's Committees of localities, relevant agencies and units in the management of donation money and sponsorship money at historical and cultural relics according to regulations.

3. Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismPreside over and coordinate with the Minister of Finance, relevant ministries, agencies and localities to research and propose to competent authorities in the fourth quarter of 2024 to supplement regulations on the State management responsibilities of local authorities at all levels in managing donation money and sponsorship money at historical and cultural relics and strictly handle violations when they arise.

4. Government OfficeMonitor and urge the implementation of this Official Dispatch according to assigned functions and tasks./.