Directive No. 05/2002/CT-TTg On Strengthening Measures to Manage and Protect Antiquities in Relics and Prevent Unauthorized Excavation and Salvage of Archaeological Sites

DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening Measures to Protect Antiquities in Relics and Prevent Unauthorized Excavation and Salvage of Archaeological Sites

Antiquities are an important component of Vietnam's cultural heritage. In recent years, there have been positive changes in the protection of cultural heritage, including relics and antiquities.

However, in recent times, theft of antiquities in relics has increased in many localities, particularly in the Red River Delta and North Central regions. Unauthorized excavation and salvage of antiquities from underground and underwater areas have also increased and spread widely. The open sale of antiquities contrary to legal provisions has become a phenomenon.

To strengthen the protection and management of relics, antiquities, and archaeological sites, the Prime Minister requests that the Ministers of Ministries, Heads of agencies at the ministerial level, Heads of government agencies, and Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities focus on directing, guiding, and immediately implementing the following tasks:

1. The Ministry of Culture and Information shall be responsible for:

a) Strengthen guidance, inspection, and auditing of relic preservation, restoration, enhancement, and promotion; coordinate with the Ministry of Commerce and the General Department of Customs to train antique appraisal skills for market management officers and customs officials at border gates.

b) Direct mass media organizations to increase publicity, dissemination, and education on laws protecting cultural heritage to raise awareness about the spiritual value of cultural heritage, enhance responsibility in protecting cultural heritage, and view the protection of cultural heritage as a significant and ongoing task for all sectors, levels, organizations, units, and citizens.

c) Direct cultural-information agencies at the local level to closely cooperate with public security agencies, customs offices at border gates, and market management agencies to closely monitor the market, intensify inspection work, promptly detect, prevent, and handle violations of laws in the field of cultural heritage protection; propose measures to advise the same-level People's Committee to direct relevant agencies to implement necessary measures to protect cultural heritage in their respective areas.

d) Coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Institute of Rewards - State Awards to study reward systems for organizations and individuals who have made achievements in protecting cultural heritage.

2. The Ministry of Public Security shall take the lead and closely coordinate with the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of Commerce, and related ministries and sectors to direct the public security sector to effectively manage and protect cultural heritage; promptly detect and prevent illegal theft and trade of antiquities, and infringement of archaeological sites; take measures to track down illegal theft and trade networks of antiquities and prepare files for prosecution before the law; provide full evidence and information necessary to facilitate the People's Procuratorates and People's Courts at all levels to strictly adjudicate violations of laws concerning cultural heritage to educate and deter individuals with intentions of illegal theft, excavation, and salvage of antiquities.

3. Provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees shall be responsible for:

a) Directing museums and relic management boards to continue inventorying and compiling lists of antiquities at relics;

b) Developing plans to invest in annual surveys, explorations, and excavations to collect, supplement, and complete original collections of artifacts in museums;

c) Establishing special protection plans for rare and valuable antiquities;

d) Directing People's Committees of communes, wards, and towns to cooperate with the same-level United Front Organizations to launch extensive campaigns to promote deep understanding among local residents; disseminate laws on cultural heritage protection to social organizations, associations, and all citizens; guide localities to incorporate these contents into village regulations and community agreements for democratic discussion, formulation, and implementation; establish self-managed security organizations in villages, hamlets, and communities to conduct patrols, guard, detect, and promptly prevent any infringements on relics;

đ) Specify the responsibilities of People's Committees at commune, ward, and town levels in protecting cultural heritage within their jurisdictions. Written agreements must be signed between the same-level People's Committees and relic management organizations or individuals entrusted with the care of relics regarding the responsibility for protecting cultural heritage. Cultural heritage protection cannot be entirely delegated to local residents or individuals entrusted with the care of relics.

4. The Government Religious Affairs Commission shall cooperate with the Vietnam Fatherland Front to strengthen publicity, dissemination, and education on laws protecting cultural heritage to raise awareness and sense of responsibility among members of organizations and individuals in protecting cultural heritage and preserving antiquities.

5. The Ministry of Culture and Information shall be responsible for leading and coordinating with other ministries, sectors, and localities to strictly implement this Directive.

Ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, government agencies, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall conduct a preliminary review of the first phase of implementation of this Directive before June 30, 2002, and submit reports to the Ministry of Culture and Information before July 15, 2002, for consolidation and submission to the Prime Minister.