Circular No. 04/2025/TT-BVHTTDL stipulates on the inventory of cultural heritage, the publication of the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; adding, relocating, changing objects within relics; classifying cultural and historical artifacts; archives for preserving documentary heritage; restricted-use cultural heritage and guidelines for exploiting the national database on cultural heritage.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on inventorying cultural heritage, announcing the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; adding, relocating, changing objects within relics; classifying artifacts and antiques; archives for preserving documentary heritage; cultural heritage with restricted use and exploitation, and guidelines for exploiting and using the national database on cultural heritage.
Pursuant to the Law on Cultural Heritage dated November 23, 2024;

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The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism promulgates this Circular regulating inventorying cultural heritage, announcing the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; adding, relocating, changing objects within relics; classifying artifacts and antiques; archives for preserving documentary heritage; cultural heritage with restricted use and exploitation, and guidelines for exploiting and using the national database on cultural heritage.

Pursuant to Decree No. 43/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage;

This Circular provides detailed regulations on certain provisions of the Law on Cultural Heritage No. 45/2024/QH15 dated November 23, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the Law on Cultural Heritage), including:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. Detailed regulations on Article 11 regarding inventorying intangible cultural heritage and the Inventory List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2. Detailed regulations on Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 23 regarding inventorying relics and the Inventory List of Relics.

3. Detailed regulations on procedures, formalities, and files for adding, relocating, and changing objects within relics as stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 31, and detailed regulations on Clause 3 of Article 31 concerning reviewing and updating the Statistical List of Objects within Relics.

4. Detailed regulations on Clause 1 of Article 40 regarding classifying artifacts and antiques.

5. Detailed regulations on Article 54 regarding inventorying documentary heritage and the Inventory List of Documentary Heritage.

6. Detailed regulations on Clause 2 of Article 57 regarding requirements for archives for preserving documentary heritage.

7. Detailed regulations on Clause 3 of Article 85 regarding guidelines for exploiting and using the national database on cultural heritage.

8. Detailed regulations on points a, b, d, and đ of Clause 3 of Article 88 regarding cultural heritage with restricted use and exploitation.

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals in Vietnam; foreign agencies, organizations, and individuals residing in Vietnam; and overseas Vietnamese participating in inventorying cultural heritage; adding, relocating, and changing objects within relics in Vietnam; classifying artifacts and antiques; archives for preserving documentary heritage; cultural heritage with restricted use and exploitation, and guidelines for exploiting and using the national database on cultural heritage.

Article 2. Applicability

INVENTORYING CULTURAL HERITAGE

Chapter II

Article 3. Objects of inventorying cultural heritage

1. Objects of inventorying intangible cultural heritage include intangible cultural heritage of various forms as specified in Article 10 of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

2. Objects of inventorying relics include constructions, sites, urban and rural architectural complexes, urban and rural areas, natural landscapes, natural zones (hereinafter collectively referred to as construction and site relics) identified according to criteria set forth in Article 22 of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

3. Objects of inventorying documentary heritage include information on carriers recognized according to criteria set forth in Article 53 of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Article 4. Responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and individuals in inventorying cultural heritage

1. Responsibilities of the Chairman of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities (hereinafter referred to as the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee), Ministers, heads of sectors, central agencies:

a) Directing and assigning the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism), the head of the agency assigned by central ministries, sectors, and organizations to conduct the inventory, to take the lead in drafting plans for inventorying, reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; organizing the inventory, compiling the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage, organizing reviews and updates of the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; approving plans for inventorying, the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage, plans for reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage, and allocating funds according to laws on state budget for inventorying, reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; announcing the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; reporting to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the results of inventorying and the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage within their jurisdiction;

b) Deciding to establish the Cultural Heritage Inventory Board. Members of the Cultural Heritage Inventory Board include: the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the head of the agency assigned by central ministries, sectors, and organizations to conduct the inventory as the main responsible agency for organizing the inventory of cultural heritage; the People's Committee of communes, wards, and special administrative zones (hereinafter referred to as the Commune-level People's Committee); subjects of cultural heritage; related organizations and individuals.

2. Responsibilities of the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the head of the agency assigned by central ministries, sectors, and organizations to conduct the inventory as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article:

a) Drafting plans for inventorying, reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage; organizing inventorying, reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage, compiling the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage for approval by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Ministers, heads of sectors, central agencies, and announcing and implementing;

b) Promoting and publicizing the purpose and tasks of inventorying cultural heritage to raise awareness and attract community participation.

3. During the inventory process, when discovering cultural heritage at risk of destruction, deterioration, loss, or disappearance requiring urgent protection, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the head of the agency assigned by central ministries, sectors, and organizations to conduct the inventory shall report to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Ministers, heads of sectors, central agencies to promptly take protective measures.

4. State agencies, people's armed forces units, political organizations, political-social organizations, occupational-political-social organizations, social organizations, occupational-social organizations, economic organizations, and individuals have the responsibility to create conditions for authorized organizations and individuals tasked with conducting the inventory of cultural heritage.

4. State agencies, people's armed forces units, political organizations, political-social organizations, political-social-professional organizations, social organizations, social-professional organizations, economic organizations, and individuals shall be responsible for creating conditions for organizations and individuals with the authority to carry out the inventory of cultural heritage that have been assigned such tasks.

Article 5. Principles for Inventorying Cultural Heritage

1. Prioritize inventorying and including in the Inventory List cultural heritage with significant informational value that has a special impact on history, culture, science, aesthetics, and other fields; unique in form and style; at risk of severe deterioration, loss, or permanent disappearance requiring urgent protection; cultural heritage of ethnic minority communities, mountainous regions, border areas, islands, and community-wide cultural heritage.

2. The process of inventorying and establishing the Inventory List of cultural heritage must ensure the following principles:

a) Not distorting or affecting the value of cultural heritage;

b) Adhering to current laws regarding state secrets, intellectual property rights, and related laws;

c) Ensuring the participation and full understanding of the subjects managing, owning, holding, practicing, and intangible cultural heritage subjects;

d) Ensuring accuracy and honesty.

Article 6. Procedures for Inventorying Cultural Heritage, Reviewing, Updating, and Removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage

1. Procedures for inventorying, reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Intangible Cultural Heritage or Documentary Heritage

a) Establish and approve plans for inventorying; plans for reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of cultural heritage;

b) Research and collect existing information related to the objects to be inventoried;

c) Train those involved in inventorying cultural heritage;

d) Conduct field surveys, collect information about the objects to be inventoried;

đ) Prepare inventory forms for cultural heritage;

e) Prepare inventory files for cultural heritage;

g) Establish the Inventory List of cultural heritage;

k) Review, update, and prepare files for removing from the Inventory List of cultural heritage;

l) Summarize, evaluate, report preliminary inventory results, and notify the local community;

m) Approve and publish the Inventory List of cultural heritage.

2. Procedures for inventorying, reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Historical Sites:

a) Establish and approve plans for inventorying historical sites; plans for reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of historical sites;

b) Inventory historical sites;

c) Prepare inventory files for historical sites, review, update, and remove from the Inventory List of historical sites; the Inventory List of historical sites;

d) Solicit feedback, improve inventory files for historical sites, the Inventory List of historical sites; review, update, and remove from the Inventory List of historical sites;

đ) Approve and publish the Inventory List of historical sites.

Article 7. Methods for Inventorying Cultural Heritage

1. Field surveys, interviews, note-taking, audio recording, photography, videography, measurement, drawing, and using technology to collect information and document cultural heritage.

2. Analyze, compare, assess, and synthesize information and materials about cultural heritage.

3. Inventory by region or administrative area, or by type of cultural heritage.

Article 8. Approval and Publication of Inventory Results of Cultural Heritage, the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage

1. The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, or the head of the agency assigned by central ministries, agencies, or organizations to conduct the inventory, is responsible for reviewing and updating the Inventory List of cultural heritage, reporting inventory results, and submitting to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Minister, or head of the central ministry, agency, or organization to publish the Inventory List of cultural heritage.

2. Inventory files are kept at the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, or the agency assigned by central ministries, agencies, or organizations to conduct the inventory, in written and digital formats.

3. Within fifteen days from the date the Inventory List of cultural heritage is approved, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Minister, or head of the central ministry, agency, or organization is responsible for publishing the Inventory List of cultural heritage.

4. The content of the publication of the Inventory List of cultural heritage is specified in Clause 6 of this Article, except for contents related to national defense, security, and state secrets.

5. The method of publishing the Inventory List of cultural heritage is as follows:

a) Information on mass media; regularly posted on the provincial, centrally-administered city, central ministry, agency, or organization's websites, and the website of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the People's Committee of the commune where the cultural heritage is located;

b) Organize a conference to publish the Inventory List of cultural heritage with the participation of representatives from relevant organizations and agencies, representatives of the people in the area, and representatives of the subjects of intangible cultural heritage whose cultural heritage has been inventoried;

c) Widely distribute the approved Inventory List of cultural heritage.

6. The content of the publication of the Inventory List of cultural heritage includes:

a) Decision approving the Inventory List of cultural heritage;

b) The Inventory List of cultural heritage.

Section I

INVENTORY OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Article 9. Content of Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The inventory shall collect information with the following contents:

1. Name: Determine the common name and other names (if any).

2. Type: Based on Article 10 of the Law on Cultural Heritage to determine the type of intangible cultural heritage. In cases where the intangible cultural heritage belongs to multiple types, all relevant types must be determined.

3. Location: Determine the place name where the intangible cultural heritage exists; if the intangible cultural heritage exists at multiple locations within a province or centrally governed city, specify down to the commune level.

4. Space, objects, and artifacts related: Identify and describe the cultural space where the community of creators, performers, maintainers, and transmitters of the intangible cultural heritage live; objects that are tools or means for practicing the intangible cultural heritage; artifacts created from the process of practicing the intangible cultural heritage.

5. Subject of intangible cultural heritage:

a) In cases where the subject of intangible cultural heritage is an individual (artisan, performer): Clearly identify the full name, age, ethnicity, profession, address, and other information related to the practice of the intangible cultural heritage;

b) In cases where the subject of intangible cultural heritage is a community or group of people: Determine the common name of the community or group of people and information about representatives of that community or group. Information about representatives needs to be identified as specified in point a of this clause.

6. Description:

a) The process of origin and existence of the intangible cultural heritage;

b) Forms of expression, implementation procedures, architectural works, physical objects, and cultural spaces related, along with material and spiritual products created during the practice of the intangible cultural heritage.

7. Current status: Determine the ability to maintain, risks, and causes of decline of the intangible cultural heritage.

8. Evaluation of value: Determine the historical, cultural, scientific value, and role of the intangible cultural heritage in current community life.

9. Propose protective measures.

10. Compile a list of related documents concerning the intangible cultural heritage, including publications, field survey materials, and other relevant documents.

Article 10. Inventory File of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The inventory file includes:

1. Report on the results of the inventory of intangible cultural heritage (Form No. 01 attached as Appendix to this Circular): Present basic information about the inventory process, quantity, name, type, value, current status, protective measures, and enhancement of the value of the intangible cultural heritage. The inventory report must have the signature of the head of the inventory committee.

2. Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory Form according to Form No. 02 attached as Appendix to this Circular.

3. List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory according to Form No. 03 attached as Appendix to this Circular.

4. Commitment to protect and enhance the value of intangible cultural heritage according to Form No. 04 attached as Appendix to this Circular.

5. Audio recordings, video recordings, photographs, diagrams, maps, drawings (if available).

6. Field survey diary and other related documents.

PART II

INVENTORY OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES, SCENIC SPOTS AND LANDSCAPES

Article 11. Contents of inventorying cultural relics, reviewing, updating, and removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Relics

1. The contents of inventorying cultural relics and updating the Inventory List of Cultural Relics include:

a) Name: Determining the common name and other names (if any);

b) Location: Determining the old and new names of the locality where the cultural relic is located, including house number, street, village, commune, town (special economic zone), province (directly under the central government), and clearly stating the reasons for name changes throughout different periods;

c) Historical events, figures, and characteristics of the cultural relic: For historical cultural relics, briefly describing the historical event, historical figure, or the life and career of national heroes, prominent individuals, historical figures, or the development of industry, urban areas, and rural areas associated with the cultural relic; clearly stating the scientific basis and assessment of organizations and individuals who prepare the dossier on the historical event, historical figure, or the development of industry, urban areas, and rural areas;

For architectural and artistic relics, briefly describing the process of construction, preservation, restoration, renovation, and enhancement of the cultural relic; briefly describing architectural and artistic works or urban and rural architectural complexes, residential areas, urban and rural regions, architectural works, and historical and cultural spaces; clearly stating the scientific basis and assessment of organizations and individuals who prepare the dossier on the process of construction, preservation, restoration, renovation, and enhancement of the cultural relic;

For archaeological relics, briefly describing the process and results of archaeological discoveries and excavations and traces related to human activities, cultural layers; the scientific basis and assessment of organizations and individuals who prepare the dossier on the age, owner, characteristics, and nature of the cultural relic;

For scenic spots, describing the main features of the scenic spot regarding natural scenery; locations combining with architectural works; natural areas with geological, geomorphological, geographical, biodiversity, and special ecosystems or material traces of various stages of Earth's development;

d) Cultural and religious activities related to the cultural relic: Briefly describing cultural and religious activities and festivals related to the cultural relic;

đ) Description of the cultural relic: Briefly describing the structures, architectural components, artifacts, antiques, and national treasures at the cultural relic;

e) Historical, cultural, scientific, and aesthetic value of the cultural relic: Evaluating the historical, cultural, scientific, and aesthetic value of the cultural relic;

g) Current management, protection, and promotion status: Names of organizations and individuals directly owning or managing the cultural relic and the current status of organizing protection and promoting the value of the cultural relic;

h) Opinions of historical witnesses; people knowledgeable about the cultural relic;

i) Measures for protecting and promoting the value of the cultural relic: Proposing directions for protecting and promoting the value of the cultural relic; proposing classification and recognition of provincial, national, special national, and World Heritage sites according to the criteria and outstanding values of the cultural relic stipulated in Article 22 and Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 24 of the Law on Cultural Heritage, and determining the expected time for classification and recognition;

k) Plan for delineating the protected area around the cultural relic: Recording all accurate information about the structure and location of the cultural relic being inventoried; preparing a technical drawing delineating the protected area around the cultural relic and must have confirmation from the People's Committee of the commune, the unit preparing the inventory dossier, and the owner of the cultural relic;

The preparation of the technical drawing delineating the protected area around the cultural relic is regulated as follows: Extracting the cadastral map of the locality where the cultural relic is located to show the delineated protected area; for areas within the protected zone that are not whole parcels, it is necessary to determine the required coordinates to clearly indicate those areas; for cultural relics where the protected area lies in areas without a cadastral map and those located in large and complex terrain, it is necessary to determine the required coordinates to clearly indicate the protected area;

l) Catalogue of relevant documents related to the cultural relic, including publications, field survey materials, and other documents (if any);

m) The Inventory List of Cultural Relics according to Model No. 05 of the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

2. The contents of reviewing and removing from the Inventory List of Cultural Relics include:

a) The name of the cultural relic in the Inventory List of Cultural Relics;

b) The location of the cultural relic;

c) Reasons, legal basis, and scientific basis for the cultural relic in the Inventory List of Cultural Relics no longer meeting the criteria stipulated in Article 22 of the Law on Cultural Heritage;

d) The conservation status of the cultural relic in the Inventory List of Cultural Relics;

đ) The current status and management responsibility of the cultural relic in the Inventory List of Cultural Relics;

e) The Inventory List of Cultural Relics according to Model No. 05 of the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

g) Photographs of the current state of the cultural relic in the Inventory List of Cultural Relics.

Article 12. Inventory files for cultural relics, review, update, and removal from the inventory list of cultural relics

1. The inventory file for cultural relics and updating the inventory list of cultural relics includes:

a) The cultural relic inventory form according to Model No. 06 in the Appendix issued together with this Circular: Including the contents prescribed in Points a, b, c, d, đ, e, g, h, and Point i Clause 1 Article 11 of this Circular;

b) Technical drawings delineating the protected area around the cultural relic as prescribed in Point k Clause 1 Article 11 of this Circular;

c) Photographs; audio recordings, video recordings, diagrams, maps, drawings (if available);

d) The inventory list of cultural relics as prescribed in Point m Clause 1 Article 11 of this Circular;

đ) Draft decision of the Provincial People's Committee approving the inventory list of cultural relics.

2. The review file for removing cultural relics from the inventory list includes:

a) The cultural relic inventory form according to Model No. 06 in the Appendix issued together with this Circular: Including the contents prescribed in Points a, b, c, d, and Point đ Clause 2 Article 11 of this Circular;

b) Photographs taken as prescribed in Point g Clause 2 Article 11 of this Circular;

c) The inventory list of cultural relics as prescribed in Point e Clause 2 Article 11 of this Circular;

d) Draft decision of the Provincial People's Committee approving the inventory list of cultural relics.

Section III

INVENTORY OF DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE

Article 13. Content of inventory, review, update, and removal from the inventory list of documentary heritage

1. The content of inventory and updating the inventory list of documentary heritage includes:

a) Name: Determining the common name and other names (if any);

b) Classification: Based on Clause 2 Article 53 of the Cultural Heritage Law;

c) Location: Determining the place name where the documentary heritage is stored/managed; clarifying the process of relocation or change in storage location (if applicable) and noting specific time periods; if the documentary heritage is stored and managed at multiple locations within a province or centrally-administered city or abroad, specify down to the commune level;

d) Management and ownership subject: Clearly identifying the management or ownership subject of the documentary heritage (including current legal status) and noting if there is any dispute over ownership or management rights;

đ) Description of documentary heritage:

The formation and existence process of the documentary heritage (determining start, completion, end times, scope of influence, usage regime).

Summary of the information content reflecting and generalizing historical, cultural, scientific, aesthetic values brought to the community, nation, region, and world; content of the document or translation of the document content (if not in Vietnamese).

Information expressed on the carrier by characters, code, drawing, sound, static or dynamic image, digital format, and other forms.

Form, size, material, special marks of the carrier (technique of creation, style, artistic expression) and quantity (according to unit of measurement for textual and non-textual documents, duration, capacity, number of files for electronic documents) of the documentary heritage.

Current state of the heritage: Determining the preservation condition and accessibility of the documentary heritage; risks and causes of destruction and deterioration of the documentary heritage;

e) Evaluation of the value of documentary heritage: Determining the informational value about history, culture, science, aesthetics, and significance of the documentary heritage to the community, analyzing according to criteria of authenticity, uniqueness, integrity, preservation method, and accessibility of the documentary heritage;

g) Proposal for protection and enhancement plans for the value of documentary heritage;

h) List of related documents to the documentary heritage, including inventory logs, publications, field survey materials, and other relevant documents.

2. The content of review and removal from the inventory list of documentary heritage includes:

a) Explanation: Name of the documentary heritage in the inventory list of documentary heritage; location; reasons, legal basis, scientific basis that the documentary heritage in the inventory list no longer meets the criteria prescribed in Article 53 of the Cultural Heritage Law; preservation status, current informational value, and management responsibility of the documentary heritage in the inventory list;

b) Comparison of current information and photographs/videos of the documentary heritage in the inventory list.

Article 14. Documents for inventory, review, update, and removal from the Inventory List of Cultural Heritage Materials

1. The documents for inventorying cultural heritage materials include:

a) Report on the results of the inventory according to Model No. 10 in the Appendix issued together with this Circular: presenting basic information about the inventory process, quantity, name, type, value, current status, evaluation of value, protection measures, and enhancement of the value of cultural heritage materials. The inventory report must be signed by the Head of the Inventory Committee;

b) Inventory form for cultural heritage materials according to Model No. 11 in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

c) Inventory list of cultural heritage materials according to Model No. 12 in the Appendix issued together with this Circular;

d) Audio tapes, video recordings, photographs, digital documents (if available);

đ) Translations for Han-Nom and other language documents (if available);

e) Survey logs and other related documents (if available).

2. The documents for inventorying cultural heritage materials, review, and removal from the Inventory List of cultural heritage materials include:

a) Explanation: Including the contents prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 13 of this Circular and clearly stating the reasons for removal from the Inventory List of cultural heritage materials;

b) Photographs taken in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 13 of this Circular.

Chapter III

ADDITION, MOVING, AND CHANGING OBJECTS IN HERITAGE SITES

Article 15. Documents for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites

1. Request document for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites according to Model No. 07 in the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

2. Explanation: Reasons, necessity, legal basis for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites; current arrangement of interior furnishings, number of existing objects at the heritage site construction; plan for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites; assessment of compliance and conditions for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites.

3. Object information sheet: One (1) sheet for each artifact, antique, national treasure, and cultural heritage material according to Model No. 08 in the Appendix issued together with this Circular.

4. Photographs of objects: Three (3) color photographs, size 10cm x 15cm (one photograph showing the overall placement of the object; two photographs showing detailed front and back views of the object, with scale ruler), ensuring sufficient basis for identifying the object; photographs of the old object being moved or changed (if applicable).

5. Certificate document confirming that the object has been appraised, registered, or recognized (for national treasures) and listed (for cultural heritage materials in the national and UNESCO lists).

6. Current layout drawings and layout plan drawings of interior objects and altars of the heritage site construction, scale 1:50-1:100.

7. Design plan drawings for added, moved, or changed objects, scale 1:50-1:100.

8. Opinions of organizations, individuals, and local communities regarding the addition, movement, and change of objects in heritage sites.

Article 16. Procedures and formalities for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites

1. For World Heritage Sites and National Special Heritage Sites, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism sends online one set of documents for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites as prescribed in Article 15 of this Circular to the Heritage Management Agency.

Within thirty working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the Director of the Heritage Management Agency shall be responsible for advising and submitting to the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for decision and opinion on the request for adding, moving, and changing objects in World Heritage Sites and National Special Heritage Sites.

Within thirty working days from the date of the unified opinion of the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on the addition, movement, and change of objects in World Heritage Sites and National Special Heritage Sites, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism where the heritage site is located shall cooperate with relevant organizations and individuals to complete the addition, movement, and change of objects in the heritage site.

2. For National Heritage Sites, Provincial Heritage Sites, and heritage sites in the Inventory List of Publicly Owned Heritage Sites, the organization or representative entrusted with managing and using the heritage site sends online one set of documents for adding, moving, and changing objects in heritage sites as prescribed in Article 15 of this Circular to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism where the heritage site is located.

Within thirty working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism where the heritage site is located shall provide opinions on the request for adding, moving, and changing objects in National Heritage Sites, Provincial Heritage Sites, and heritage sites in the Inventory List of Publicly Owned Heritage Sites.

Within thirty working days from the date of the unified opinion of the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on the addition, movement, and change of objects in National Heritage Sites, Provincial Heritage Sites, and heritage sites in the Inventory List of Publicly Owned Heritage Sites, the organization or representative entrusted with managing and using the heritage site shall complete the addition, movement, and change of objects in the heritage site.

3. For Provincial Heritage Sites and heritage sites in the Inventory List of Commonly Owned and Privately Owned Heritage Sites, the owner of the heritage site is responsible for reporting the list of objects added, moved, or changed in the heritage site to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism where the heritage site is located within fifteen working days from the date of completion of the addition, movement, or change of objects in the heritage site for management purposes.

In cases where it is found that the addition, movement, or change of objects does not comply with the principles stipulated in Clause 1 of Article 31 of the Law on Cultural Heritage, within thirty working days from the date of receipt of the report on the list of objects added, moved, or changed in the heritage site, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism shall issue a document guiding the owner of the heritage site to implement the addition, movement, or change of objects in the heritage site.

Article 17. Review and update the Inventory of Physical Objects at Relics

1. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for coordinating with the People's Committee of the commune and organizations or individuals entrusted with managing relics to organize reviews and updates of all physical objects at relics; prepare an annual review and update inventory of relic objects to report to the provincial People's Committee and retain it in the scientific ranking file of the relic.

2. The annual inventory of relic objects reviewed and updated as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall be implemented according to Model No. 09 attached as an appendix to this Circular and shall be preserved stably and long-term in the scientific ranking file of the relic for management, protection, and enhancement of the value of the relic.

Chapter IV

DETAIL PROVISIONS ON CLASSIFICATION OF RELIC OBJECTS AND ANTIQUITIES

Article 18. Relic objects and antiquities with historical, cultural, and scientific values from various historical periods of Vietnam and ethnic groups living together in Vietnam

Relic objects and antiquities with historical, cultural, and scientific values from various historical periods of Vietnam and ethnic groups living together in Vietnam include:

1. Antiquities with historical, cultural, and scientific values from the Prehistoric and Protohistoric periods of Vietnam.

2. Relic objects and antiquities with historical, cultural, and scientific values from various historical periods of Vietnam, including:

a) Tools for labor and production;

b) Utensils for daily life and study;

c) Objects for religious worship in religious and belief activities;

d) Jewelry;

đ) Clothing;

e) Weapons;

g) Musical instruments;

h) Artistic works;

i) Seals;

k) Manuscripts;

l) Treasures;

m) Currency;

n) Engraved boards;

o) Woodblocks, imperial records, ancestral tablets, divine records, family genealogies, decrees, edicts, certificates, manuscripts, writings, books;

p) Contracts, village regulations;

q) Equipment and costumes for traditional folk art performances;

r) Horizontal scrolls, couplets, large characters;

s) Books and documents;

t) Equipment for artistic performances.

3. Relic objects and antiquities with historical, cultural, and scientific values from historical-cultural relics and scenic spots (hereinafter referred to collectively as relics) from various historical periods of Vietnam that have been ranked and inventoried, including:

a) At historical relics, including: handwritten copies, drafts of books, letters, and daily life, study, and work-related utensils related to the careers of national leaders, heroes, prominent figures, historical figures who have influenced the development of the country and locality in political, military, diplomatic, economic, cultural, social, and scientific fields; weapons; musical instruments; artistic works, photographic works; decrees, edicts, certificates; official documents or draft documents; leaflets, slogans, propaganda posters, newspapers, supplements, victory news; medals, badges, commemorative medals; objects for religious worship in religious and belief activities; horizontal scrolls, couplets, large characters; other relic objects and antiquities at the relic;

b) At architectural and artistic relics, including: construction materials, architectural components, decorative parts of architecture, interior and exterior decorations; artistic works, paintings, sculptures, woodblock prints with value; objects for religious worship in religious and belief activities; other types of relic objects and antiquities at the relic;

c) At archaeological relics, including: tools for labor and production; daily life and study-related utensils; objects for religious worship in religious and belief activities; jewelry; weapons; musical instruments; architectural parts, materials, and decorations; burial objects; human and animal remains; other relic objects and antiquities discovered at the relic;

d) At scenic spots, including: objects made from rare animals, plants, and minerals; other relic objects and antiquities at scenic spots.

Article 19. Vietnamese antiquities, cultural relics, and documents of value for the study of history, culture, national sovereignty, related to important events of the country or the careers of national heroes, prominent figures, historical personalities who have had a positive impact on the development of the nation.

Vietnamese antiquities, cultural relics, and documents of value for the study of history, culture, national sovereignty, related to important events of the country or the careers of national heroes, prominent figures, historical personalities who have had a positive impact on the development of the nation, including:

1. Documents of value for the study of history, culture, national sovereignty, related to important events of the country or the careers of national heroes, prominent figures, historical personalities who have had a positive impact on the development of the nation, including:

a) Drafts, original texts of documents;

b) Ancient books;

c) Maps, diagrams;

d) Artistic works;

đ) Audio and video recordings;

2. Antiquities and cultural relics of value for the study of history, culture, national sovereignty, related to important events of the country or the careers of national heroes, prominent figures, historical personalities who have had a positive impact on the development of the nation, including:

a) Tools for labor and production;

b) Daily-use items, study materials, work tools;

c) Jewelry;

d) Costumes;

đ) Weapons;

e) Artistic works, photographic works, film works;

g) Official documents or drafts of documents; leaflets, slogans, propaganda posters, press supplements, victory announcements; medals, badges, commemorative plaques; handwritten copies, draft books, letters;

h) Stamps and postal items;

i) Other types of antiquities and cultural relics related to the above.

Article 20. Individual or parts of fossilized human, animal, plant remains from the Prehistoric period of Vietnam

Antiquities and cultural relics are individual or parts of fossilized human, animal, plant remains from the Prehistoric period of Vietnam, including organic specimens that have petrified, mineralized, or retained their form naturally, dating back to prehistoric periods, discovered underground, underwater, or in geological layers within the territory of Vietnam.

Article 21. Drafts of literary works, original artistic works, photographs of high value in content, ideology, artistic form, and with significant influence in society

Antiquities and cultural relics are drafts of literary works, original artistic works, photographs of high value in content, ideology, artistic form, and with significant influence in society, including:

1. Drafts of literary works, works, projects, clusters of works, clusters of projects in literature and art that have been awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize or State Prize.

2. Originals of artistic works, works, projects, clusters of works, clusters of projects in literature and art, photographic works that have won the A (or First) prize at national fine arts exhibitions or photography exhibitions, or have been awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize or State Prize.

Article 22. Antiquities and cultural relics of historical, cultural, and scientific value originating from abroad

Antiquities and cultural relics of historical, cultural, and scientific value originating from abroad include objects formed or circulated abroad before being legally imported into the territory of Vietnam.

Chapter V

DEPOSITORY FOR DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE

Article 23. Provisions on storage facilities for documentary heritage

1. For documentary heritage that is information content expressed through characters, codes, writing, drawings as stipulated in point a, Clause 2, Article 53 of the Cultural Heritage Law, the storage facility shall be implemented as follows:

a) Ensuring durable structure and materials; protecting and safely preserving documentary heritage; ensuring environmental conditions, fire prevention and firefighting measures suitable to the actual conditions of agencies, organizations, and individuals;

b) Reasonable design with appropriate application of science and technology suitable for operation, ensuring temperature, humidity, air circulation conditions in the storage facility according to the type and material of documentary heritage; digitalization and updating of management software for the storage facility in accordance with regulations and other suitable applications for documentary heritage;

c) Personnel experienced in maintaining, operating, and utilizing the storage facility for documentary heritage.

2. For documentary heritage that is information content expressed through sound, images, and digital formats as stipulated in points b and c, Clause 2, Article 53 of the Cultural Heritage Law, the storage facility must comply with Clause 1 of this Article, the Data Law, the Cybersecurity Law, the State Secrets Protection Law, and other relevant laws.

Article 24. Provisions on security and safety of storage facilities for documentary heritage

1. Storage facilities for documentary heritage must regularly check security and safety risks.

2. Establish a process for regular inspection and maintenance at least every six months for all technical equipment, management software, especially electrical and water systems and protective devices.

3. Develop emergency response plans when technical equipment malfunctions occur, ensuring readiness for quick replacement or repair to not affect the preservation conditions of documentary heritage.

4. Staff responsible for the storage facility and maintenance of technical equipment must be regularly trained on safe operation procedures, identifying and resolving malfunctions.

Chapter VI

LIMITED USE AND EXPLOITATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THE USE OF NATIONAL DATABASES ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

Article 25. Provisions on limited use and exploitation of cultural heritage

Limited use and exploitation of cultural heritage in the following cases:

1. Cultural heritage easily damaged as stipulated in point a, Clause 3, Article 88 of the Cultural Heritage Law is cultural heritage at risk of damage that cannot be restored.

2. Cultural heritage containing information if widely used may affect the interests of the State; rights and legitimate interests of agencies, organizations, and individuals as stipulated in point b, Clause 3, Article 88 of the Cultural Heritage Law, including the following cases:

a) Belonging to documents, projects, programs, plans, and scientific research topics related to national borders, territorial sovereignty, national defense, and national security that have not been publicized;

b) Currently being researched, supplemented, or corrected by authorized agencies;

c) At risk of spreading harmful substances dangerous to people and other cultural heritages;

d) Promoting outdated customs, superstitions, and irrational beliefs; causing panic in society, adversely affecting social order, safety, and community health;

đ) At risk of appropriating ownership rights of other individuals or communities' cultural heritage;

e) At risk of commercializing cultural heritage, losing its originality and value.

3. Cultural heritage limited in use and exploitation as stipulated in point d, Clause 3, Article 88 of the Cultural Heritage Law includes cultural heritage that can be exploited for the following activities:

a) Fabricating, defaming state policies, laws, causing public unrest, disrupting social stability;

b) Causing psychological warfare, inciting war against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

c) Creating division among different strata of the population, between the people and the government, armed forces, political organizations, and social-political organizations;

d) Causing hatred, discrimination, division, secession among ethnic groups, infringing upon the equality of ethnic minorities in Vietnam;

đ) Inciting division among ethnic groups and religions; causing division between religious followers and non-followers, among different religious followers, and between religious followers and the government, political organizations, and social-political organizations; insulting religious beliefs and faiths;

e) Illegal religious organization activities; religious activities of organizations and individuals related to national security;

g) Spreading superstition; discriminating against culture, creating envy, conflicts, disputes, and cultural conflicts;

h) Undermining international solidarity policies.

4. Cultural heritage limited in use and exploitation as stipulated in point đ, Clause 3, Article 88 of the Cultural Heritage Law includes cultural heritage that can be exploited for the following activities:

a) Affecting national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, national defense, security, and politics of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

b) Distorting history, denying revolutionary achievements; insulting the nation, national heroes, defaming, and denying the people's government;

c) Slandering the reputation of agencies, organizations, or the dignity and personality of individuals; insulting national heroes, prominent figures, and historical figures;

d) Inciting violence; promoting lifestyles inconsistent with Vietnamese traditional customs.

Article 26. National Database on Cultural Heritage

1. The national database on cultural heritage includes:

a) Data on intangible cultural heritage and artisans;

b) Data on historical and cultural relics, scenic spots and landmarks;

c) Data on museums;

d) Data on artifacts, objects, antiques, and national treasures;

đ) Data on documentary heritage.

2. Management, exploitation, and utilization of the national database on cultural heritage must meet the following requirements:

a) Ensuring the integrity, authenticity of content, form, and value of cultural heritage; transparency and public disclosure regarding ownership and management;

b) Ensuring convenient access, usage, connection, and sharing in storage, management, and exploitation;

c) Indications showing that the data has been digitized and information about the agencies, organizations, or individuals who are the owners and managers of cultural heritage;

d) Digital signatures from authorized agencies, organizations, or individuals for verifying digitized data.

Article 27. Management, Exploitation, and Utilization of the National Database on Cultural Heritage

1. The creation of data on cultural heritage by organizations and individuals must ensure information security and safety. The process of exploiting and utilizing the national database on cultural heritage must comply with laws on information access, electronic transactions, intellectual property rights, state secrets protection, and other relevant laws.

2. The creation of data must promptly serve state management work, ensuring proper purposes, meeting socio-economic development needs, and national defense and security requirements.

3. Information and data on cultural heritage must be regularly updated and maintained according to the分级管理系统层级的全国范围；确保按照法律规定公开文化遗产权属和数据。

4. Data provided for exploitation and utilization must ensure completeness and accuracy within the required time frame and content.

5. Data sharing within the national database must ensure it does not affect the legitimate rights, interests, and responsibilities of related organizations and individuals.

6. The exploitation and utilization of the national database on cultural heritage must be carried out in accordance with this Circular and other relevant laws.

Article 28. Scope of Exploitation and Utilization of the National Database on Cultural Heritage

1. State management agencies and units have the right to exploit and utilize the national database on cultural heritage in accordance with laws on data, electronic transactions, network information security, cyber security, and information access for promotional, introduction, promotion, educational purposes on cultural heritage, ensuring compliance with management, protection, and enhancement of cultural heritage values.

2. Organizations and individuals have the right to exploit and utilize open data in the national database on cultural heritage. For non-open data categories, exploitation shall be conducted through assigned accounts or written requests in accordance with laws on data, electronic transactions, network information security, cyber security, and information access, consistent with organizational and individual usage purposes and needs.

3. In cases where cultural heritage belongs to common or private ownership and is not included in the open data category of the national database on cultural heritage, agencies, organizations, and individuals may extract information and data on cultural heritage managed and owned by themselves within the scope and forms stipulated by law.

4. Based on actual conditions and requirements of agencies, units, organizations, and individuals, exploitation of the national database on cultural heritage can be carried out through one or a combination of the following methods:

a) Through assigned accounts or national data integration and sharing platforms;

b) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's electronic portal;

c) By written request in accordance with laws on information access;

d) Other connecting and integrating platforms as prescribed by law.

5. Organizations and individuals exploiting and utilizing the national database on cultural heritage are responsible for ensuring data security, safety, and confidentiality requirements as stipulated by law.

Article 29. Management and Operation of the National Database on Cultural Heritage

1. The national database on cultural heritage shall be shared to serve activities of state agencies aimed at serving citizens, communities, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Law on Cultural Heritage, data laws, and other relevant legal regulations.

2. Activities related to management and sharing of data within the national database on cultural heritage include:

a) Developing strategies and plans for data development, databases on cultural heritage to ensure connectivity, sharing, and joint use of data among state agencies;

b) Drafting legal documents, usage rules, and sharing regulations for databases; standards for data exchange structures; technical documents for data exchange;

c) Organizing the provision and use of data to serve the activities of state agencies and sharing data with organizations and individuals in accordance with the law;

d) Coordinating, inspecting, supervising, and resolving issues during the implementation of data connection and sharing processes;

đ) Inspecting, evaluating, maintaining data; managing data quality.

3. The deployment of the national database on cultural heritage shall be uniformly implemented from central to local levels; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall take the lead in implementing according to Articles 85(3), 85(4), and 85(5) of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Article 30. Responsibilities of Agencies, Organizations, and Individuals Entrusted with Managing, Exploiting, and Using the National Database on Cultural Heritage

1. The Department of Cultural Heritage shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Drafting and submitting to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism projects and plans regarding management, operation, updating, maintenance, exploitation, and use of the national database on cultural heritage in accordance with the Law on Cultural Heritage, data laws, laws on protecting state secrets, and other relevant legal regulations;

b) Drafting and submitting to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism for issuance regulations and guidelines on data updates, storage, provision, and sharing; guiding the management, exploitation, and use of the national database on cultural heritage from central to local levels;

c) Collecting, processing, updating, publishing, and publicly disclosing data on cultural heritage within their scope of management;

d) Urging reports, inspecting the implementation of management, operation, updating, maintenance, exploitation, and use of the national database on cultural heritage nationwide.

2. Agencies and units exploiting and using the national database on cultural heritage within their jurisdiction shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Draft and submit to the provincial People's Committee, central ministries, sectors, or central political organizations plans and organizational implementation of exploitation and use of the national database on cultural heritage within their jurisdiction;

b) Collect, process, update, and publish data according to the level of management and guidance of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the exploitation and use of the national database on cultural heritage;

c) Report to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the organizational implementation of exploitation and use of the national database on cultural heritage within their jurisdiction;

d) Comply with the law on protecting state secrets;

đ) Provide complete, accurate, and timely data to organizations and individuals as prescribed; if inaccuracies or incompleteness in provided data are discovered, corrections or supplementary data must be made; may refuse requests for data provision that contravene this Circular and relevant legal regulations; promptly report to the competent authority in case of unauthorized use or exploitation of cultural heritage.

3. Organizations and individuals exploiting and using the national database on cultural heritage shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Collect, process, update, and publicize cultural heritage data according to the guidance and support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

b) Be provided with complete, accurate, and timely data as prescribed by this Circular and other relevant legal regulations; promptly notify the database management agency of any errors found in the provided data (if any);

c) Exploit and use the database for approved purposes and regulations; may only provide third parties with provided data upon agreement or permission from the database management agency in accordance with intellectual property laws and relevant legal regulations; comply strictly with the law on protecting state secrets; bear responsibility for improper exploitation and use of the database;

d) Fulfill obligations related to data exploitation and use as stipulated by the Law on Cultural Heritage and other relevant legal regulations.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 31. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2025.

2. This Circular replaces Circular No. 04/2010/TT-BVHTTDL dated June 30, 2010 issued by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the inventory of intangible cultural heritage and the establishment of scientific files on intangible cultural heritage for inclusion in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Article 32. Transitional Provisions

Inventory files of relics completed and submitted for approval by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee before the effective date of this Circular shall continue to be implemented according to current regulations. In cases where inventory files of relics are being implemented after the effective date of this Circular, they shall be carried out in accordance with this Circular.

Article 33. Implementation Organization

During the implementation process, if any issues arise or problems occur, organizations and individuals should reflect them to the Department of Cultural Heritage to request the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promptly amend and supplement accordingly./.