Managing historical relics effectively

Actively receiving and managing relics

These days, at the Vam Nhut Tao historical relics (Nhat Tao Commune, Tay Ninh Province), upgrading and repairing work is being vigorously implemented. Since the two-level local government officially began operating, the People's Committee of Nhut Tao Commune has proactively repaired some degraded areas in the urban area, preparing for the anniversary of the sacrifice of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc.

The embankment area of ​​the Vam Nhut Tao Relic Site is being repaired to prepare for the anniversary of the sacrifice of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc

The relic was inaugurated in 2010, with an area of ​​6.1 hectares with many items and has become a destination for many visitors. The annual anniversary of the sacrifice of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc attracts hundreds of thousands of people to offer incense and pay their respects. Up to now, the area has begun to deteriorate and needs to be restored. Immediately after receiving the handover of historical and cultural relics in the commune, the People's Committee of Nhut Tao commune proactively surveyed and upgraded the embankment, the electrical system, and built additional sanitary areas to ensure good service for the celebration held at the end of October.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhut Tao commune, Truong Minh Tri, said: "When the historical relics are handed over to the commune, the management work is more convenient and easier because it is now convenient for inspection and supervision. In addition, when receiving the relics, we also receive human resources, so basically the supervision and management are still guaranteed, without any interruption or much impact."

When receiving and managing the Long Khot Fort Area relic, Tuyen Binh Commune People's Committee also received human resources, so the management and care of the relic is still guaranteed (Photo: Mr. Nguyen Van Tam and his wife, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong, take care of the Long Khot Fort Area relic. They have been doing this job for many years)

Like Nhut Tao Commune, when receiving the management of the cultural relics in the area, Tuyen Binh Commune received both the relics and human resources, so the management work is well maintained. Currently, Tuyen Binh has 4 cultural relics, of which the Long Khot Fort Area relic and the Floating Pagoda relic are 2 destinations that attract a large number of visitors, especially during the Full Moon Festival in January (at the Floating Pagoda relic) and the celebration of Uncle Ho's birthday and gratitude to the heroic martyrs (at the Long Khot Fort Area relic).

According to Vice Chairman of Tuyen Binh Commune People's Committee Vo Hong Linh, in the coming time, the commune will conduct a survey of the current status of relics in the area, from which it will have a plan to restore and upgrade the residential areas to ensure good service for tourists in the coming time. Regarding the implementation budget, it will depend on the guidance of the superiors to come up with a specific plan.

Waiting for the mechanism to be completed

At present, because there are no regulations on decentralization of management, protection and promotion of cultural heritage values ​​in the province, localities are still waiting to know clearly the extent of decentralization in the process of managing relics in the area.

In Tra Vong commune, there are currently 2 relics: Tra Vong Bureaucrat Huynh Cong Gian Temple and his Tomb. According to Mr. Nguyen Thai Sung - Head of the commune's Culture-Society Department, previously, the temple, also known as Ong temple, was managed by the commune, while the tomb was managed by the district level. After implementing the two-level local government, the relics in the area were handed over to the commune for management.

"There is a difference in state management work. Previously, the district held the land use right certificate of the mausoleum relic, but now it is handed over to the commune. As for cultural management, when there is restoration, construction, or repair, the locality must also ask for the opinion of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism as before. Currently, there are no new guidelines, so there is basically no difference. In the near future, the locality will reorganize the Management Board of the relic, and at the same time, promote it on local information platforms," said Mr. Nguyen Thai Sung.

Cuban delegates visit the workplace of Cuban Ambassador Raul Vades Vivo at the Provisional Revolutionary Government Base of the Republic of South Vietnam

Regarding the management of the relics, each relic has a Management Board in charge of worship and preservation, so there is currently no difficulty in decentralizing management to the commune. As for the restoration and upgrading of the relics, due to the province's permission, they are still being carried out as planned.

In recent times, the locality has had many activities to restore and embellish relics, showing the respect of today's generation for those who have contributed to opening up new lands and protecting the country. "About 3 years ago, someone donated 1,000 square meters of land to expand the mausoleum and recently completed the land handover procedures. In the near future, we will focus on building fences according to the province's previously approved policy, with funding from people's contributions" - said the Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Tra Vong commune.

At the Southern Revolutionary Heritage Management Board, the unit that is managing 5 heritage sites that have been decentralized to the provincial level, all management and protection activities of the relics are still taking place normally as before the merger. According to Mr. Phan Thanh Nhan - Director of the Management Board, since the implementation of the 2-level local government, the province has a policy of maintaining the status quo of public service units under the Provincial People's Committee. Therefore, the management of the unit is still unchanged.

"Currently, the unit's operations rely on funding from the budget. Every year, the unit is allocated funding to prevent degradation. If there is a major construction or repair, there will be a separate plan. The management and monitoring of the relics is still carried out regularly by the Management Board." - Mr. Phan Thanh Nhan said.

Since the beginning of the year, the Management Board has carried out renovation, restoration and anti-degradation works at 5 relics. In particular, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the Reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the Management Board has coordinated with relevant departments, branches and sectors to implement the project of renovating and embellishing a number of items and works in the National Special Historical Site of the Southern Central Bureau Base with a total investment of more than 65.8 billion VND.

History lesson of Tan Bien students at the Southern Central Bureau Base Relic Site (Photo: Duong Duc Kien)

After the renovation, digital technology has been applied to display artifacts and show documentary films using 3D Mapping technology with 2 films on the history of formation and operation of the Southern Central Bureau, the film Junction City Victory of the army and people of Tay Ninh.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department is currently drafting regulations on decentralization of management, protection and promotion of cultural heritage values ​​to facilitate localities in managing cultural heritage sites in the area.

In addition, the Department will also promote socialization, preservation and promotion of the value of cultural works, cultural heritage sites, cultural and religious activities, etc., as well as focus on the management and exploitation of cultural heritage sites, festivals, etc. In particular, seriously degraded relics will be given special attention in construction, restoration and embellishment.

It can be seen that after the merger, the decentralization of relic management to the commune has initially been effective, creating flexibility and initiative in preserving and embellishing cultural heritage right at the grassroots level. However, in order for the conservation work to go into depth, ensuring both legality and promoting long-term value, it is necessary to soon issue specific decentralization regulations. At that time, localities will have more basis for implementation, and at the same time mobilize the community's cooperation in preserving and promoting the value of relics./.

By Staffs - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/quan-ly-hieu-qua-di-tich-lich-su-a202760.html