MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS & TOURISM
VIETNAM NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CULTURE AND ARTS STUDIES

Tran Duc Nguyen

MANAGEMENT OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RELICS
IN BAC NINH PROVINCE IN THE PROCESS OF
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION

Major: Cultural Management
Code: 62 31 06 42
SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION IN CULTURAL STUDIES

Ha Noi - 2015


The study has been completed at:
VIETNAM NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CULTURE AND ARTS STUDIES

Scientific supervisor:

External Examiner 1:

Associate Professor. Dr. Dang Van Bai

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hoai Son

Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies

External Examiner 2: Dr. Tran Dinh Luyen
Bac Ninh Department of Culture, Sports and

been enacted (2001), the management of cultural and historical relics in
Bac Ninh Province has been much positively changed. The key relics of
the Province has been managed, invested for restoration and renovation
so as to effectively to meet the needs of cultural enjoyment of the
community inside and outside the Province. However, there remain
limitations to such management, caused by defects in anti-degradation,
in the treatment of encroached land, in relic’s protection zoning, and in
the propagation, dissemination and implementation of guidelines and
policies of the Party and laws of the State on monument preservation.
Currently, Bac Ninh has the rapid socio-economic growth and the
strong process of industrialization and urbanization. This has positive
impacts on conservation and promotion of heritage value as increased
funding for restoration and renovation of relics, avoidance of
degradation and destruction of relics. However, it also has negative
effects such as state heritage overwhelmed, damaged, deformed or
damaged ... This is the problem faced by management agencies, standing
in front of a pressure force for the protection, exploitation and promotion


2

of traditional cultural values in a sustainable manner, while ensuring the
service of socio-economic development, raising spirit and material living
standards for residential community.
2. Aims of the study
- Researching the situation of historical - cultural management with
successes and limitations and determining the cause of such limitations.
- Studying the impact of industrialization and urbanization to the
ruins and relics management activities in Bac Ninh.
- Proposing some solutions to achieve higher efficiency in the

for relic management. It provides information and data on the system of
cultural and historical monuments in Bac Ninh Province; Clarifies the
situation

of

organizational

structure

and

historical

-

cultural

management, the impact of the development of industrialization and
urbanization for relics; then proposes the solutions for improving the
effectiveness of the management of historical cultural relics, creating
resources

to

promote

economic

development

1.1.2 The study of historical and cultural relics in Bac Ninh
Province
1.1.3. The study on the management of historical and cultural
relics in Bac Ninh Province
Up to now, the studies on the relic management of heritage has not
yet focused deeply on issues such as managerial object and tools,
management of natural landscape environment and architectural space,
strategic issues of conservation and promotion of heritage value, the
systematical planning, master planning and conservation projects have
not been discussed and deeply studied. For Bac Ninh in particular, in
addition to the limitations above, there is no specific and systematical
study on managerial issues of historical and cultural relics, especially in
the condition of socio-economic development, the process of
industrialization and urbanization with positive and negative impacts to
the ruins. This has been a big challenge for local managers. Therefore,
the issues which have not yet been accessible shall be a certain gap that
will be mentioned and researched in this Study.
1.2. Theoretical fundamental of the Study
1.2.1. Theoretical fundamental
There are many different views on conservation of cultural
heritage with three outstanding viewpoints: the viewpoint of
preservation of original values, conservation on the basis of inheritance
and the viewpoint of conservation and development. In the study, the
objects of the management and conservation are the historical and


5

cultural relics in specific locality with the characteristics of type and
building materials. The conservation should respect the original,


1.3.1.2. Resident
1.3.1.3. Economic - social features
1.2.1.4. Historical and cultural characteristics
1.3.2. Overview of the system of historical cultural relics in Bac
Ninh Province
1.3.2.1. Quantity and type of relics
- Quantity of relics: Currently, there are a total of 1.545 monuments
of all kinds, including 498 rated monuments (194 nationally rated
monuments and 304 provincially rated monuments in overall Province).
Distribution: the relics were distributed in the Province; the
average density of 18 monuments/1km2.
- The type of relic in Bac Ninh Province: the relics can be divided
into three types of relics: 1/ Type of archeology; 2/ Type of historical
monuments; 3/ Type of architectural monuments.
1.3.2.2. The situation and technical status of the relics
The historical-cultural relics are divided into the following
categories: 1/Relics are ruins, accounting for approximately 3% of total
relics; 2/Relics are in the condition of serious degradation, accounting
for approximately 20% of total relics; 3/Relics are expressly degraded,
accounting for approximately 65% of total relics; 4/Relics are in good
condition, accounting for approximately 12%.
1.3.2.3. Ownership form of relics
There are two ownership forms: 1/Relics are under collective
ownership; 2/Relics are under private ownership.
1.3.2.4. Historical cultural relics with festival
There are about 547 festivals in Bac Ninh Province, the majority
of which are organized at relics which have been accredited and certified
as historical and cultural relics by the State.
Sub-conclusion

With the relic system is composed of three types of historical
relics, architecture - arts and archeology - with different characteristics,
the appropriate management methods for promoting effectively the value
of such monuments that contribute to the overall development of the
locality should be necessarily applied.
CHAPTER 2
CURRENT SITUATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RELICS IN BAC NINH PROVINCE
2.1. The organizational structure of the monument management
2.1.1. People's Committees at all levels
As a rule, the Province People’s Committee bears the highest
responsibility for the state management of cultural heritage in local as
assigned by the Government. People's Committees of districts, towns,
wards and communes bears responsibility for managing, building and
implementing conservation and promotion of the value of monuments,
relics, antiques and national treasures in their localities.
2.1.2. Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is a professionally
specialized agency, advising and assisting the Province People’s


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Committee in performing “the state management in the Province of
cultural heritage”. The responsibilities of the Department of Culture in
the management of historical-cultural relics are clearly specified in The
Regulations on the management of monuments, relics, antiques and
national treasures in Bac Ninh Province. The Relic Management
Committee of Bac Ninh Province is the agency principally responsible
for the management of relics.

entire ranked relics by the State are established. The qualification and
capacity of these staff is inconsistent and uneven, should be trained for
knowledge of protection and promotion of cultural heritage.
- Staff at the district cultural office in charge of heritage
management has graduate and postgraduate education accounting for
100%. However, their training field is not consistent with the
requirements of the management of cultural heritage.
2.3. Management activities of historical - cultural relics in Bac
Ninh Province
2.3.1. Building the planning, the plan and heritage conservation
project
2.3.1.1. Building the heritage conservation plan
Many relics of Bac Ninh Province have been included in the
overall plan and some key monuments restored and renovated...
Viewpoint that renovations and restoration for some key relics is
associated with tourism development. The goal of the planning is to
ensure maximum preservation of the original elements of the monument,
and promotion of the heritage value for socio-economic and cultural
development, satisfying the needs of cultural enjoyment of the people.
2.3.1.2. Building relic conservation plan
The restoration and renovation for preservation of the historical
and cultural relics has been now done with the annual short-term specific
plan plans and long/medium-term plans. The plans such as Management,
preservation and promotion of revolutionary historic relics in Bac Ninh
Province in the period of 2007-2010 in 2007 and Restoration plan for
historic cultural relics in Bac Ninh Province in the period of 2010-2015,
in 2010 were approved.
2.3.2. Issuing legal documents on historical and cultural relics
On the basis of characteristics and local situation, Bac Ninh
Province has issued a number of documents concerning the management

renovations, anti-degradation typically such as Phu Luu building; Do
temple and Dau pagoda...
2.3.3.2. Antique management at relics: Bac Ninh Province
management unit counted and listed artifacts, antiques and relics at some
locations. Special valuable antiques have been researched and
documented scientifically and submitted to the Government to be
recognized as national treasures.


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Currently, major relics, artifacts and antiques are assigned to elder
association or pagoda chairman for management. Artifacts and antiques
have not yet listed and verified statistics their dating. Protection
measures are mainly such as maintaining, cleaning the artifacts and
antiques. In general, the management has not been yet paid attention.
Many antiques and artifacts were stolen in many relics.
2.3.3.3. Promotion of heritage values
The promotion of heritage value is done in many different forms
such as: visiting the relics; organizing activities and events to promote the
value of the monument; exploiting value of relics for the development of
tourism, of which potentialities such mental culture and tourism, heritage
culture have been focused; associated relics with the teaching and learning
activities of the schools, the study competition on local history and
tradition ... Firstly, introducing and promoting relics in the mass media.
2.3.5. Organizing and management of scientific research
activities on the monument
Scientific research activities are carried out in some forms such as:
seminars on cultural and historical sites; research, writing, publication of
the value of the monument; survey, research, assessment of the value of

promotion of the value of historical cultural relics
Coordination and cooperation is carried out in two major forms
including: coordination with other domestic agencies and organizations
and with international organizations to implement conservation
programs, promotion of heritage value or calling, rising the funding for
this program.
2.3.8. Inspection and examination of the legal observance and
settlement of complaints and denunciations about the historical and
cultural monuments
Heritage management agencies must arrange the inspection plan of
the issues related to the observance of the law on the protection and
promotion of the values of historical, cultural relics, such as renovation and
protection of relics and antiques in ruins, occupied land, superstition in
festivals...; Checking and receiving information from the people on the
violations related to the management of the monument to timely measures
or recommendations of the competent authorities to resolve and handled


13

according to law. Coordinating with relevant agencies to organize periodic
inspection and handling of complaints of violations of the monument.
2.4. Assessment of the advantages and limitations of the
management of historical and cultural relics in Bac Ninh Province
* About advantages
- About organization management structure: decentralized
management to the commune level. Developing a coordination
mechanism between units in the management of cultural and historical
monuments.
- The role of state management is reflected in the following

monuments, restoration of festivals or ceremonies held at the monument.
Expressing the supervisory role of the protection, preservation of
cultural heritage. Distort behaviors and violation are detected and
notified to local governments.
* About limitations
Objectively: degradation and damage of the monuments are resulted
from climatic conditions, harsh nature and consequences of the war.
Subjectively:
- Management role of managerial agencies reveals many
shortcomings:
+ Propaganda and guidance on Cultural Heritage Law has no
specific and regular plans, mostly focuses on management unit without
paying attention on the community.
+ It is late in listing monuments, benchmarking, documenting,
archaeological planning, master planning...
+ The degradation of many relics still exists in many places. The
poor management of restoration projects funded by socialization sources.
+ Many infringement cases on land disputes of relics and artifacts
in ruins... are promptly untreated or irrationally treated.
+ There is no inventory plan, setting records for antiques for the
monument. The phenomenon of stolen relics, artifacts also occur in
ruins, the investigation.
+ The phenomenon of superstition, mediums, arbitrary burning of paper
votive, the social evils persist in many monuments, many annual festivals.
+ There is ineffective and lack of oriented exploitation and
promotion of the value of the monument. Tourism products are mainly
based on available values.


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promotion of heritage value. The management model to be applied in
practice will vary depending on the characteristics of each type of


16

monument. However, the state still plays a major role in regulating and
orienting the other components involved in management.
Heritage management activities are conducted under the provisions
of the Law on Cultural Heritage. The dissertation approaches the
management activities on specific aspects such as the promulgation and
implementation of documents related to historical and cultural
monuments in fact, building the planning and conservation plans of
heritage system, promotion of relics in the present conditions ... The
important role of the community for the protection of monuments is
expressed through mobilizing resources for the restoration and
renovation of the local heritage. In fact, the heritage management has
positive effects to meet the needs of the community and cultural life.
However, due to several different factors, the heritage preservation and
conservation reveals limitations that need specific solutions to contribute
to preservation and promotion of valuable cultural heritages.
CHAPTER 3
ORIENTATION AND SOLUTION FOR IMPROVING THE
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF HISTORICAL AND
CULTURAL RELICS IN BAC NINH PROVINCE IN THE
PROCESS OF INDUSTRIALIZATION AND URBANIZATION
3.1. The impact of industrialization and urbanization for the
management of historical cultural relics in Bac Ninh Province at the present
3.1.1. The situation of industrialization, urbanization in Bac Ninh
In recent years, the socio-economy of Bac Ninh Province has

* Negative impacts
- Breaking landscapes, sacred space of the monument; land
encroachment, breach.
- Occurring social evils, the phenomenon of stealing artifacts and
antiques at the monument in many places.
- Construction of infrastructure directly affects the monument:
narrowed monument, flooding...
- Polluted ambient and water affects the landscape, the space of the
monuments, festivals.


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- Socio-economic development, market economy also lead to the
commercialization, market festivals of the relics.
3.2. Some viewpoints and fundamentals for solutions on
improving management efficiency of historic cultural relics
3.2.1. In term of management
3.2.1.1. In term of unified management roles of monuments
3.2.1.2. In term of conservation and promotion of relic values to
ensure the authenticity and the original nature of the monument
3.2.1.3. In term of conservation and promotion of the value of
tangible cultural heritage associated with intangible cultural heritage
3.2.1.4. In term of conservation and promotion of the value of
heritage associated with the community and for the community
3.2.1.5. In term of conservation and promotion of the value of
heritage associated with the socio-economic development of the locality
3.2.2. Fundamentals for solution
- Pursuant to on Cultural Development Strategy to 2020 has been
approved by the Prime Minister by Decision No. 581/QD-TTg dated


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irregularities in the relics. Developing a coordination plan in heritage
protection between management unit and president of pagoda or temples
and local communities.
3.3.2. Strengthening the propaganda and education

to raise

awareness about the historical - cultural relic for the community
These

years,

the

propaganda,

training

of

management,

conservation, promoting the values of monuments mainly focus for staff
management, and people do not pay attention. Therefore, the need to
strengthen education and communication on the monument to the
people, because the support and the role of the community is one of the
important factors, the community to create the monument and also they

Fostering the professional knowledge for management staff at all
levels. Additional staffing is the architect or civil engineer. Planning to
organize training courses for each specific geographical area, equipping


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with the knowledge to those who are directly preservation and protection
of monuments; appointing staff to learn and visit managerial experiences
in the countries in the region.
3.3.6. Strengthening the inspection and examination at the relics
Strengthening the inspection and examination to detect and handle
violations of the monument, settle complaints and denunciations and
handle violations of the law on monuments; Praising timely
organizations and individuals to strictly abide by the law, timely
handling of cases of violation of Cultural Heritage Law.
3.3.7. Effectively exploitation of the cultural and historical relis
associated with the tourism development
It should focus on some of the contents: Raising the attractiveness
of the relics to tourists; accelerating the promotion of heritage;
developing a unique tourism product; investing for upgrading and
building new infrastructure for tourist attractions and improving the
quality of human resources in tourism.
3.3.8. Strengthening inter-agency coordination
Close linking between heritage management with management
units of industrial development and urban management. Building rapid
handling mechanisms in case of appearance of the adverse impacts of
industrialization and urbanization to the ruins. Discussion and agreement
between the parties in quick and reasonable manner to make the
monuments to avoid the risk of occupy and directly affect the value of

Cultural heritage plays an important role: as the property of the
community, as development resource, as the soul linking the community
to preserve identity in the period of industrialization and urbanization to
form new value system. In terms of strong industrialization and
urbanization has impact on the monument as well as management
activities in both positive and negative way. Socio-economic
development is also associated with social relationships between
conservation and development, priority in selecting problems.
2. Bac Ninh’s cultural heritage is very abundant and diversified.
Historical cultural relics play an important role, including many different
types. Such relics contain the value of history - culture - science and
aesthetics. This is a great potentiality for socio-economic development,


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particularly associated with the development of local tourism. Economic
development resulted from the process of industrialization and
urbanization has an impact on the field of culture, the village model
changed in comparison with the past, the historical cultural relics are
also resisted by this effect. The previous studies on the heritage
management in Bac Ninh has not yet mentioned the management issues
in the development process of industrialization and urbanization with
implications for the historical cultural relics and community psychology,
not yet put relics in the relation to the local development. The preserved
relics will contribute to the conservation of national cultural identity, but
in the context of the current development, such relics need to be
exploited to bring benefits to the community and the society.
Exploitation must be reasonable and harmonized with the development
process and sure of sustainability. Solving this content with specific

management of cultural heritage in Bac Ninh Province in recent years,
especially two basic contents as heritage conservation for preserving and
promoting the monuments. On the other hand, the monument should be
exploited, and promoted the value to meet the needs of cultural
enjoyment of the community. Thereby, the dissertation initially provides
an assessment of the effectiveness of these activities. The assessment is
not only based on the statistical figures of the managerial agency, but
also based on the evaluation and feedback from the community.
5. In the context of the current development, the government and
people of Bac Ninh Province are interested in investment for
conservation, preservation and promotion of the values of cultural
heritage by mechanisms, policies and more specific actions. Effective
heritage management will be the basis for the implementation of local
socio-economic development, put the monument to become a particular
product to attract inbound and outbound tourists to Bac Ninh.
Identifying such targets, the author's dissertation proposes some
solutions to improve the management efficiency of local heritage as
completing

management apparatus, developing policies of top

investment for preservation and promotion of the heritage value,
investing for key human resources in management, mobilizing and
enhancing the role of the community in a rational exploitation of