Preserving documentary heritage from law

Exhibition space "Duy Xuyen land through Han Nom documentary heritage" on the occasion of the 420th anniversary of the Duy Xuyen name (1604-2024). Photo: HN

In 2006, Vietnam officially joined the UNESCO Memory of the World Program. At present, the country has 9 recognized documentary heritages. However, the legal tools to manage, preserve and promote this type of heritage have not yet been formed.

Rich Han-Nom heritage

In Quang Nam , documentary heritage exists in many forms. According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Hau, during the Champa kingdom period, documentary heritage in Quang Nam was often relics at temples and towers, stone inscriptions, and less often writings on objects used in ceremonies such as bronze, gold, silver, etc. In the 15th century, when the Quang Nam Thua Tuyen religion was established and followed by migrations, especially under the Nguyen lords, many rich Han-Nom heritages were created.

Researcher Phan Thanh Minh (Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association) said that according to preliminary statistics, Quang Nam currently has over 500 communal house, pagoda, temple, and clan house relics preserving Han-Nom heritage.

Preliminary survey shows that Han-Nom heritage in Quang Nam is currently very abundant. Initially, 450 steles, 1,200 royal decrees, and 6,000 parallel horizontal lacquered boards in 10/18 localities have been inventoried and identified.

Meanwhile, in Hoi An, information from the Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center said that through investigation, collection and research programs, the Center has collected and photocopied more than 2,000 pages of original documents, more than 4,500 pages of photocopied documents, 300 copies of stone inscriptions, 800 woodblock prints, 63 royal decrees... contributing to the identification of Hoi An's historical and cultural values, and also partly restoring traditional cultural values that have been lost.

Currently, the preservation of Han-Nom documentary heritage mainly depends on the work of preserving relics - places containing Han-Nom heritage. Although for many years, Quang Nam has carried out a number of collection activities as well as plans and measures for restoration, it is still like "a drop in the ocean".

There are still hundreds of royal decrees, land registers... kept at relics, private homes, and family temples, including heritages that have not been properly preserved, many documents are degraded and rotten.

Legal identification and designation

An official from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shared that the current Law on Cultural Heritage does not have regulations to define, identify, register, as well as measures to protect, preserve and promote the value of documentary heritage. Therefore, the cultural sector must apply regulations on protecting relics and antiquities at relics and scenic spots to protect and promote the value of documentary heritage in the province.

Meanwhile, although Vietnam has participated in UNESCO's Memory of the World Program on documentary heritage since 2006, there are still no specific regulations on the conservation of documentary heritage.

Currently, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Law on Cultural Heritage (amended) will have a separate chapter on the protection and promotion of documentary heritage values. It will include full regulations, concepts, types, terminology, identification criteria, inventory activities, scientific documentation, registration procedures and cancellation of registration decisions of documentary heritage.

In addition, the Law will stipulate measures for receiving, managing, and responsibilities for activities to protect and promote the value of documentary heritage after it is registered; authority to appraise projects and plans for preserving, repairing, restoring, and promoting the value of documentary heritage; regulations on copies of documentary heritage...

Currently, Vietnam has 9 documentary heritages recognized by UNESCO, including 3 world documentary heritages and 6 documentary heritages in the Asia - Pacific region. UNESCO recognized 3 world documentary heritages as: Woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty, Royal Records of the Nguyen Dynasty, Doctoral Steles at the Temple of Literature. 6 documentary heritages in the Asia - Pacific region include: Woodblocks of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda; Literature and poetry on Hue royal architecture; Ghost stele at Ngu Hanh Son scenic spot, Da Nang; Woodblocks of Phuc Giang school; Royal envoy's report; Han Nom documents of Truong Luu village, Ha Tinh (1689-1943).

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/bao-ton-di-san-tu-lieu-tu-phap-ly-3144749.html