MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
AND TRAINING

MINISTRY OF HOME
AFFAIRS

NATIONAL ACADEMY
OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
----------------

QUACH NGOC DUNG

STATE MANAGEMENT OF SPECIAL NATIONAL
RELICS IN THE THE RED RIVER DELTA
Major: Public Management
Code: 9. 34. 04. 03

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION OF PUBLIC
MANAGEMENT

HANOI - 2018


The work has been completed at:
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUPLIC ADMINISTRATION

Scientific Supervisors:

- Dr. LE NHU THANH
- Dr. NGUYEN DANH NGA
Reviewer 1: .............................................................



management on cultural heritage” in order to define state
management on special national relics. Extracted the definition of the
concept “state management on special national relics” from such
conceptual analysis. Role and contents of state management on
special national relics. The research dissertation analyzed factors
influencing state management on special national relics in the Red
River delta and consulted experiences from nations in the world.
Chapter 3, from a practical perspective, the dissertation
analyzed, interpreted and clarified the status of state management on
special national relics in the Red River delta through specific issues
including the creation and promulgation of strategies, schemes, plans
and policies; the implementation and execution of legal regulation
documents; the organization of management system and contingent
of officials; the mobilization, management and utilization of
resources; The inspection, examination and handling of violations.
The dissertation analyzed and evaluated the state management
activities of special national relics practically, listing achievements,
drawbacks and clarify causes of status.
Chapter 4, from clarifying and analyzing the theories and
evaluating the status of state management on special national relics in
the Red River delta, the dissertation introduced viewpoints and
orientations to perfect state management on special national relics in
the Red River delta; from research results, the dissertation
recommended 6 major solutions and additional solutions in order to
overcome drawbacks in state management activities of special
national relics in the Red River delta. The solutions represented all
issues need assessing and addressing within the state management
activities of special national relics in the Red River delta in the time

drawbacks beside favorable outcomes and success in management,
affecting the preservation, protection and promotion of special
national relics’ values. For the time being, along with the
development of the market economy, major challenges for state
management on cultural heritage, relics in general and special
national relics in particular includes: the international integration
trend creates opportunities to absorb cultural essence of the globe, but
at the same time form risks of new lifestyles and conceptions
penetrating and affecting traditional cultural values; the socio-cultural

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lifestyles among the residents in urban and rural areas are distinctive,
generally speaking, including in the The Red River Delta; state
management activities on cultural heritage, relics in general and
special national relics in particular are unable to meet practical
demands. In the process of establishing a socialist-oriented market
economy, the nation must definitely preserve and promote positive
factors of traditional culture whose foundations are tangible and
intangible cultural heritage, in order to advocate national cultural
identity. State management on special national relics requires
appropriate policies and solutions with the joined effort of the entire
society and international community.
Based on said reasons, the author would like to choose the topic
“State management on special national relics in the The Red River
Delta” for research.
2. Objectives, tasks of research

to perfect state management on special national relics in the Red
River delta.

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CONCLUSION
Special national relics are treasures passed on to the latter generation
by the prior, they are valuable assets of the nation and mankind.
Preserving and promoting the values of special national relics amidst
socio-economic development is the at most important mission primarily
belongs to the government, the role of the community at the special
national relics sites, the role of the society and the populace. Reality shows
that, there are multiple causes leading to the degradation of the relics such
as nature’s severity, excessive exploitation and even destruction of relics
caused by humans. However, there is one crucial cause needs assessing
and researching, which is the limitations and drawbacks of the state
management activities of special national relics in general and within the
Red River delta in particular. Therefore, perfecting state management on
special national relics in the Red River delta is an urgent requirement, both
theoretically and practically. Within the range of the dissertation, contents
of basic research results are shown as below:
Chapter 1, the dissertation summarized scientific research
situation related to the topic, scientific research works of cultural
heritage management and state management on special national
relics. From there, the dissertation identified research results which it
has inherited, the analysis and assessments of state management
activities of special national relics, the unfinished or continuing and
perfecting researches.

national relics sites must be strictly safeguarded. The state
management on special national relics must uphold the accuracy of
the relics’ historical birth, keeping their values and characteristics
unchanged, keeping their constituent elements whole and intact,
upholding the relics’ authenticity. special national relics’ values must
be protected and promoted through a community-reliant principle,
encouraging self-consciousness and activeness of the community
with the help of voluntary organizations of the populace.
The orientation to perfect state management on special
national relics in the phase to come needs to focus on the following
main orientations: the creation of a concretized legal document
regarding to the special national relics is required; the construction

3.2. Limited scope of research
- Contents: the topic focuses on the research of state management on
special national relics contents, particularly: the construction, issuing and
execution of strategies, schemes and plans, policies and the law on
special national relics; inspection, examination and handling legal
violations in state management on special national relics.
- Location: The inspecting areas in provinces and cities within the
The Red River Delta.
- Time: Documentations for the inspection of state management
on special national relics in the The Red River Delta within the
duration from 2010 to 2017, after the issuing of order number
32/2009/QH12 in 18/06/2009 which modifies and adds several
articles of Cultural Heritage Law, taking effect as of 01/01/2010,
written in item 3, article 29 with new implementation of special
national relics.
4. Methodology and methods of research
4.1. Methodology of research

as: What are special national relics? Roles and values of special
national relics? Contents of state management on special national
relics? Roles and necessity of state management on special national
relics? Current situation of special national relics in the The Red
River Delta? Advantages? Drawbacks and causes?
What are the solutions to perfect state management on special
national relics in the The Red River Delta?
6. New contribution of the dissertation
6.1. For science
Systemizing, clarifying concepts and fundamental issues of state
management theories on special national relics. Clearly identifying
viewpoints, orientations and recommend solutions to perfect state
management on special national relics in the The Red River Delta in
the times to come.
6.2. For practical affairs
Research results contribute to raising awareness of practical
activities from managing officials, cadres, officers and others who are
involved or participated in the state management on special national
relics in the The Red River Delta. The dissertation can be used as a
reference for research and study of public management and public
policies. Research contents and recommendations included in the
dissertation are data sources to create and issue policies, perfecting
state management on special national relics.
7. Structure of the dissertation
In addition to the preamble, conclusion, the dissertation consists
of 4 chapters:
- Chapter 1: An overview on research situation
- Chapter 2: Scientific foundation of state management on
special national relics
- Chapter 3: State management situation on special national

phases such as project formation, design, construction coordination,
construction monitoring at special national relics. The Ministry and
Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism reinforce regular
inspections and examinations for the preservation, restoration and
embellishment of special national relics. The provincial and urban
People’s Committee must perfect legal regulations for inspecting and
examining such as: raise penalties for violations, combine
cooperation with responsibility, handle violations timely and firmly;
have in store effective plans and solutions to tackle existing
prolonged land encroachment to their roots; continue to organize and
lead the implementation of tracking and reacquiring lost artifacts and
antiques. Strengthen the role of state management officials and the

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out as part of the overall preserving and promoting scheme approved
by the Prime Minister; Executing technical infrastructure projects
which lead to a steady development such as the protection of the
environment; executing the investigation and examination of
construction projects located beyond the protected areas which could
possibly harm special national relics.
4.2.2. Reviewing, completing legal documents for special national relics
Completing special national relics regulations, reviewing,
systematizing current legal documents in order to prevent
overlapping, impractical regulations that are inappropriate with
international commitment and custom of cultural heritage. The
issuing of a specific coordination statute is required between agencies

1.1. Research works related to the dissertation topic
1.1.1. Research works group on cultural heritage and special
national relics
There are 04 doctoral dissertations, 10 in-depth study articles
which have referred to the following contents: Asserting that cultural
heritage in general and special national relics in particular are
priceless assets of the nation and mankind; cultural heritage including
special national relics’ values must be preserved, embellished and
promoted, serving the steady development of the nation; requiring a
better, more appropriate management layout and intensifying
responsibilities for these agencies; experiences of several nations
regarding to the management and mobilization of resources to
preserve and promote values of special national relics;
responsibilities of state-owned agencies, social and political
organizations and the populace.
1.1.2. Research works group on state management on cultural
heritage and special national relics
There are 01 doctoral dissertation, 05 books and 7 in-depth study
articles that have referred to the following specific issues: The
theoretical foundation of state management in general and state
management on cultural heritage including special national relics;
The lack of unification from central to local relics management
system; The lack of thoroughness in management decentralization
between Managing Department and local management within the
province; Assignments and missions of government agencies are
unclear and overlapping; insufficient legal system, limited resources,
the inability of the workforce to meet management demands;
Preserving, embellishing and promoting values amidst the
international integration trend, relics preservation experiences from
several nations (especially Japan and Korea); limitations, drawbacks

Overall goal for 2020: Preserving and promoting values of
unique cultural heritage of the nation; developing modern cultural
constructions, signifying national symbolism, politics, history and
unique traditions aiming at the strategic goal of creating a modern
Vietnamese culture yet retains the sense of national identity.
Specific goal for 2020: Supporting the restoration and
embellishment of 20 cultural world heritage, special national relics
and several remarkably-valued national relics.
4.2. Solutions to perfecting the State management on special
national relics in the Red River delta
4.2.1. Constructing and issuing regional development-oriented strategies,
schemes, plans and policies regarding to special national relics
Linking the system of special national relics in the Red River
delta, proceeding with the integration of overall scheme for each
special national relics with tourism development scheme until 2020
and aiming further to 2030 in order to promote values of the special
national relics in the Red River delta, serving regional socioeconomic growth. Ensuring that project division groups are carried

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1.2. Comments on overall results of the research situation
Research works mentioned distinctive aspects of cultural
heritage and special national relics. However, the aspect in which the
government is the main management with the role of deciding state
management activities of special national relics in the The Red River
Delta was not ubiquitously mentioned. The research target in most of
the researches above mainly adopt the following orientations:
Researching state management activities of cultural heritage but not

resources, ineffective use of resources ... On the basis of these
shortcomings, the dissertation also pointed out the causes behind
restrictions. The findings of analyzing and evaluating current status
of the state management of special national relics in the The Red
River Delta is an important basis for the author to propose solutions
to improve the state management of special national relics in the The
Red River Delta in the coming time.

cultural heritage, special national relics and the state management on
cultural heritage, special national relics. On that basis, the
dissertation identifies research results which can be adopted, analysis
and evaluations of state management activities on heritage and relics.
Research results also unveiled orientations, aiding the dissertation to
go deeper and to clarify relevant concepts, the role of State
management on special national relics, factors influencing the state
management on special national relics, national experiences of
cultural management.

Chapter 4
VIEWPOINTS, SOLUTIONS TO PERFECTING STATE
MANAGEMENT ON SPECIAL NATIONAL RELICS IN THE
RED RIVER DELTA
4.1. Viewpoints and orientations towards the perfection of state
management on special national relics in the Red River delta
4.1.1. Viewpoints to perfect state management on special national
relics in the Red River delta:
State management on special national relics in the Red River
delta must be in accordance with the viewpoints and strategic
development goals aiming to establish prioritized policies of special
national relics, serving to effectively preserve and develop the value

The dissertation clarifies and analyses the concepts related to
state management and state management of special national relics.
Special national relics belong to tangible heritage; therefore, state
management of special national relics must be based on the
fundamental ground of cultural heritage management. State
management of special national relics is ongoing and purposeful
impact of the State on all agencies, organizations and relevant
individuals by management means (policies, laws, plans and
planning) and the establishment of management apparatus aiming at
preserving and developing cultural heritages.
From the analysis of concepts, the author defines the concepts of
state management of special national relics as follow: “State
management of special national relics is a specific field of

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management, known as the ongoing, organizational and purposeful
influence of the state, by various ways and means, to the object of
management to preserve, protect and exploit the values of national
relics, serving for socio-economic development, meeting material
and spiritual need of the society.”
2.1.3. Role of state management of special national relics
Special national relics play a special role, leading to important
position of state management of special national relics in state
management of culture in particular and in state management in
general. Firstly, it contributes to orienting, adjusting the development
of national culture, implementing policies and directions on culture.

practical experience in management activities and professionalism;
Several provinces failed to attract and utilize qualified specialists.
Fifthly, there is no reserve for special national relics in the
localities, resulting in asynchronous mobilizing and attracting
investment resources and the socialization of conservation and
promotion of the value of the monument; Socialization attracting
resources to protect, restore and embellish
relics fails to preserve the original element of the relics.
Sixthly, the authorities in some places have insufficient awareness
of the role of the value of the special national relics, and lack actively
propaganda and dissemination of the law on cultural heritage; There is a
lack of clear responsibility assignment among authorities at different
levels and sectors to coordinate and take responsibility for protection,
repair, anti-degradation; exploitation of special national relics remains
ineffective. There remains delay in resolving and handling violations,
penalty sanctions fail to prove deterrence.

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Conclusion of Chapter 3
In Chapter 3, the dissertation analyzes current status of the
State management of special national relics in The Red River Delta in
specific perspectives: present overview of the The Red River Delta in
terms of geographic location, natural conditions, population, socioeconomic, cultural heritage, including the network of special national
relics. Analyze and clarify current status of the state management of
construction, promulgation and implementation of strategies, plans,
policies and laws on special national relics; the management
apparatus and personnel for the special national relics; mobilization,

unsustainable exploitation of the value of special national relics.
Legislation on the protection of cultural heritage has been delayed to
be applied; the system of legal normative documents on special
national relics is not specified. Some provinces had failed to issue
regional relics management regulations.
Thirdly, there is a lack of coordination mechanism among
management agencies at all levels to implement, affecting management
effectiveness and causing the resources to fail to focus on resolving
difficult and complicated issues; there is not yet a fully-managed
management mechanism consistent in the State management of special
national relics; the organization of the management apparatus has
changed due to the process of separation and merger of local
administrations; relics profiles are stored and managed ineffectively and
information technology application is absent.
Fourthly, training and fostering specialized officials and public
employees fail to meet requirements; The contingent of cadres and

responsibility and authority to ensure professional activities. Attach
personnel to state managerial apparatus of special national relics.
2.2.3. Mobilize, manage and utilize all resources for preservation
and promotion of special national relics
Identifying, balancing managing and utilize effectively resources
are required to preserve and promote the values of special national relics.
2.2.4. Inspect, examine and handle the violations of law on special
national relics
Inspecting and examining are essential steps in state
management of special national relics. Performing inspection and
examination aim to set up the sequence for state management of
special national relics.
2.3. Experience of different countries in state management of

to the original elements of the relics, cultural traditions and national
identity.Thirdly, regularly training and fostering cadres and civil
servants professionally managing cultural heritages and special
national relics shall be focus on. Fourthly, financial fund shall be
established to preserve special national relics. Fifthly, value
exploitation shall be combined with tourism development in order
to promote local socio-economic to develop; while at the same time
socialize financial resources for repair and embellishment. Sixthly,
the responsibility for heritage and relics management shall not only
belong to state agencies but also social organizations and people in
the area. Seventhly, science research movement shall be promoted;
science and technology shall be actively applied to heritage and
relics management.
Conclusion of Chapter 2
Chapter 2 focuses on solving the core theories related to the
dissertation, clarifying the concepts and terms of cultural
heritages, relics, special national relics, state management and
state management of cultural heritages. The author therefrom
draws the concept of “state management of special national
relics”; evaluates the importance of special national relics,
analyses the role of state management of special national relics as
well as factors impacting on state management of special national
relics in The Red River Delta area; understand and research on the
experience of heritage and special relics from some other
countries such as South Korea, Japan, Germany to draw lesson
and reference value for state management of special national relics
in The Red River Delta area.
Chapter 3
CURRENT STATUS OF STATE MANAGEMENT OF
SPECIAL NATIONAL RELICS

all levels.
The third is that the state management apparatus and personnel
of special national relics. There has not been a specialized and
synchronous managerial apparatus in the State management of
special national relics; the management model and the
decentralization of management of special national relics remains
ineffective as in many places, the management responsibility of
special national relics is directly taken on by People's committees at
commune level with people's custody contracts, and causing
extremely low quality of protection and preservation of relics and
antiques.
The fourth is that there remains the lack of high quality human
resources in management apparatus; the number of professionally
qualified officers is limited.
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authorities are detected and resolved. Special national relics intrusion
is a serious problem in the cultural sector today. The investigation
findings prove that the inspection and examination of special national
relics in The Red River Delta are mostly reflected in individual letters
and mass media. The supervisory of the National Assembly and the
Father Front and other political-social organizations have yet to be
performed effectively. The have been delay in handling of violations
while penalty sanctions fail to prove their deterrence.
3.3. General assessment of current status of state management of
special national relics in The Red River Delta
3.3.1. Achievements in the state management of special national
relics in The Red River Delta
Firstly, legislation document system on cultural heritage

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density of 1.179 people /km2. The Red River Delta has a long-history
development, consists of the capital city of Hanoi and such developed
cities as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, etc. which are the leading regions in
politics, economy, socio-culture of the country. Overall natural, economic
and sociocultural featuresof the area have a great influence on state
management of special national relics.
3.1.2. Special national relics in The Red River Delta area
By December 31st 2017, Viet Nam had 3,447 national relics in
total, 95 of them are recognized as special national relics. Among
them, there are 40 relics of various types including historical relics,
artistic and architectural relics, and archaeological relics belonging to
The Red River Delta area (accounting for 42.1%).
Table 3.2. Special national relics in The Red River Delta area
Province/
Recognized
Special national relics
municipalities
year

Ninh Binh
2012
Lu Ancient Capital
Historical and artistic architectural relics of Con
Hai Duong
2012
Son – Kiep Bac
Artistic architectural relics of Keo pagoda
Thai Binh
2012
Historical and artistic architectural relics of Tran
Nam Dinh
2012
temple and Pho Minh pagoda
Historical relics of Hai Ba Trung temple
Hanoi
2013
Historical relics and beauty spot of Hoan Kiem
Hanoi
2013
lake and Ngoc Son temple
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16
17
18
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20

Historical and artistic architectural relics of Thay
pagoda and Sai Son rock
Artistic architectural relics of Tay Phuong
pagoda
Historical and artistic architectural relics of Phat
Tich pagoda
Historical relics relics of mausoleum and altars
for kings of the Ly dynasty
Historical relics of mausoleum and altars for
kings of the Tran dynasty
Historical and artistic architectural relics of Hien
street
Historical relics of Nguyen Binh Khiem altar
Historical relics and beauty spot of Tay Thien
Artistic architectural relics of Binh Son tower
Artistic architectural relics of Tran Thuong
temple
Historical relics and beauty spot of An Phu Kinh Chu - Nham Duong vestige
Art architectural relics of Keo Pagoda
Historical relics and beauty spot of Huong Son
vestige (Huong pagoda)
Artistic architectural relics of Chem temple
Historical relics of Cua Ong Temple
Historical of Mao Dien temple
Historical and artistic architectural relics of Xua
temple – Giam pagoda – Bia temple
Historical and artistic architectural relics Doi
Son pagoda (Long Doi Son pagoda)

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Bac Ninh

2014

Bac Ninh

2014

Thai Binh

2014

Hung Yen

2014

Hai Phong
Vinh Phuc
Vinh Phuc

2015
2015
2015

Ha Nam

2015

Hai Duong

planning, plans, policies, law on special national relics in The Red
River Delta
Special national relics and special national relics in The Red
River Delta in particular are subjected to the general regulation of
state-issued law documents including laws, decrees, circulars and
decisions. There is also a law document system issued by local
authority. Basically, overall plans for preserving and promoting the
value of special national relics in The Red River Delta approved by
competent authorities have already existed. Strategies, planning and
plans are major means for controlling and state management of
special national relics.
3.2.2. Organization of the appatus and personnel for state
management of special national relics in The Red River Delta
Managerial organization of special national relics in The Red
River Delta is asynchronous; there remains difference in organization
among management agencies under various management levels.
Officials and civil servants are unequal in number with the majority
concentrated in big cities; in addition, high-quality human resources
are deficient. The findings show that only 40% of officers at the
heritage management office of the Department of Culture, Sports and
Tourism have university degrees related to cultural heritage.
3.2.3. Mobilizing, managing and utilizing resources for
preservation and promotion of values of special national relics in
The Red River Delta
In the period 2010-2017, a huge resource was mobilized from
national and local budget to carry out programs and projects.
Investment in preservation of special national relics was allocated
100% by the state budget. Moreover, socialized resources have
significant contribution as findings of the research show that social
communities contribute 70% of the expenditure of relics