Decree No. 519/TTg stipulates the regulations on the preservation of folk tales.

DECREE

OF THE PRIME MINISTER NUMBER 519/TTG, OCTOBER 29

YEAR 1957 REGULATING THE RULES ON THE PRESERVATION OF ANTIQUITIES

PRIME MINISTER

At the proposal of the Ministry of Culture

DECREE

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1: All immovable and movable properties having historical or artistic value (including those still under the ground or water and scenic spots located within the territory of Vietnam, regardless of whether they belong to the State, administrative units, agencies, organizations, or individuals) shall now be placed under the protection regime of the State as prescribed in this Decree.

PART II
CLASSIFICATION

Article 2: All immovable and movable properties and scenic spots mentioned in Article 1 that have been found must be registered for classification according to the procedures stipulated herein, regardless of their ownership by the State, administrative units, agencies, organizations, or individuals.

Article 3: Classified immovable properties include historical and artistic relics or scenic spots such as temples, pagodas, communal houses, shrines, castles, palaces, churches, fortifications, military outposts, ancient tombs, houses, gardens, caves, mountains, rock formations, river sections, coastal areas, bays, and objects attached to classified immovable properties like steles, statues, graves, towers, carved stones, ancient trees...

Article 4: Depending on the value of the relics and scenic spots, classified immovable properties are divided into three categories:

Category A: Managed by the Ministry of Culture for registration, handling (prescribing usage regulations, permitting usage, etc.) and preservation.

Category B: Managed by the administrative committee of the district or province for registration, handling, and preservation.

Category C: Used and preserved by the people (organizations or individuals) under the guidance of the registration, monitoring, and preservation management agency. Depending on each immovable property, the registration, monitoring, and preservation management tasks are assigned to the local Department or Office of Culture or the Museum Preservation Agency under the Ministry of Culture.

Article 5: Classified movable properties include ancient historical or artistic artifacts (including those related to revolutionary and resistance movements) such as the following:

a) Remains of ancient animals and plants, or prehistoric human tools, still intact or petrified.

b) Stone, bronze, iron, wood, bamboo, rattan production tools, transportation means, ceramic, porcelain, brass kitchen utensils, and other long-lasting household items with exquisite craftsmanship.

c) Long-standing artistic products such as paintings, carvings, sculptures, ancient architectural materials, old handicrafts.

d) Books and documents printed or handwritten in any script, valuable for history, culture, science, medicine, professions; old documents and scripts; long-standing office supplies, printing blocks, rituals, costumes, music, entertainment.

đ) Weights, measures, and old currencies such as compressed silver, gold ingots, or other items previously used as money.

e) Weapons and implements used for punishments in the past.

g) Revolutionary and resistance movement documents and materials.

h) Artifacts of famous figures and revolutionary leaders.

Article 6: The classification of immovable and movable properties and scenic spots is decided by the Ministry of Culture after studying and consulting the Historical Relic Research Council. If the movable property belongs to an individual or organization, it must be agreed upon by the owner (individual or collective) before classification.

Article 7: The classification takes effect from the day the administrative committee of the commune or ward where the classified immovable or movable property is located receives notification of the classification decree. If the classified immovable or movable property belongs to an individual, the classification will notify the owner or manager.

Classification decrees are published in the Official Gazette.

On classified immovable properties, signs clearly indicating their location and boundaries should be posted so that the public and local authorities can take care of them, ensuring that no individual, organization, or agency occupies, invades, or destroys them.

Article 8: If the classified immovable or movable property belongs to an individual (person or collective), the owner has the right to sell, exchange, or transfer it to heirs when dividing the estate. When selling, exchanging, or dividing the estate, the owner must comply with the following provisions:

Must inform the administrative committee of the commune or ward about the intention to sell, exchange, or divide the estate. The commune or ward authority immediately informs the Department or Office of Culture to propose the Government's timely exercise of the right of first refusal if necessary.

Must give priority to the Government, including in the case of auctioning the estate division.

Must inform the new owner that the immovable or movable property is classified so that the new owner continues to comply with the classification rules.

After completing the sale, exchange, or division, within the latest fifteen days, report to the administrative committee of the commune or ward to transfer the registration to the new owner.

Article 9: Classified immovable or movable properties belonging to State assets, administrative units, or government agencies must not be sold or exchanged. When the agency using the immovable or movable property no longer needs it, it must immediately hand it over to the Museum Preservation Agency under the Ministry of Culture for preservation.

Article 10: The validity of the classification remains permanent even if the classified immovable or movable property changes ownership.

Article 11: Any sale, exchange, or division of classified immovable or movable properties not in accordance with the above provisions is considered illegal and invalid. The agency responsible for registering, monitoring, and guiding the preservation of these properties may prosecute those who illegally sell, exchange, or divide them before the court.

For the new owner, the relevant authority may still allow them to retain immovable or movable property that was sold, exchanged, or divided illegally, provided they comply with the classification regulations. In necessary cases, the registration and classification authority may require the new owner to transfer such illegally purchased, exchanged, or divided immovable or movable property to the Government.

Article 12: The classification of immovable and movable property can be changed or revoked by a Decree of the Ministry of Culture.

This Decree also announces and publishes according to the method stated in Article 7.

PART III
COLLECTING AND EXCAVATING

Article 13: Only the museum conservation agency under the Ministry of Culture shall organize the collecting and excavating of historical relics and objects. Organizations, groups, or individuals wishing to carry out these activities must obtain permission from the Ministry of Culture. Programs and plans for collecting or excavating must be approved by the Ministry of Culture before implementation.

Article 14: To ensure the protection of relics and objects still buried underground, organizations, groups, and individuals, prior to undertaking important construction work such as digging wells, building lime kilns, brick kilns, irrigation canals, mining, factories, military camps, roads, etc., within classified areas or adjacent areas designated in the classification decree, must obtain the consent of the Ministry of Culture or an agency authorized by the Ministry of Culture. Before commencing work, the party concerned must inform the People's Committee of the commune or ward and submit a permit.

Article 15: Outside the classified areas and adjacent areas mentioned in Article 14, if an organization, group, or individual discovers relics or objects during construction, production, or other work, they must immediately stop excavation at that location and report it to the People's Committee of the commune or ward. The People's Committee of the commune or ward must protect the discovery site while promptly reporting to the People's Committee of the district or province so that the local Department, Office, or Bureau of Culture can send staff to investigate and study. If deemed necessary, the Department, Office, or Bureau of Culture may request the People's Committee of the city, region, or province to issue an order to halt excavation and develop an excavation plan using professional methods.

If the discovered relics or objects are found to have historical or artistic value, the Ministry of Culture will decide to classify them and include them in the National Museum for proper preservation. The organizations, groups, or individuals who discovered these relics or objects will be rewarded by the Government.

PART IV
PRESERVATION

Article 16: State agencies, organizations, and individuals have the responsibility to properly preserve classified immovable and movable property under their ownership or management and must comply with the following provisions:

They must not destroy or engage in any activity harmful to classified relics or objects and must have plans to prevent unexpected damage caused by storms, floods, rain, fire, theft, etc. If any unusual event occurs causing damage to classified relics or objects, the owner or person responsible for preservation must immediately report it to the People's Committee of the commune or ward for prompt resolution by higher authorities.

Without the approval of the Ministry of Culture or an agency authorized by the Ministry of Culture, no unauthorized restoration, repair, relocation, or alteration of classified relics or objects is permitted.

Classified relics must not be used for purposes that could damage or devalue them, such as keeping livestock, storing straw, explosives, posting advertisements, writing slogans, etc.

Classified relics or objects may not be rented or lent without the consent of the agency responsible for guiding the preservation of these relics and objects.

For classified relics or objects requiring special preservation plans and techniques, the owner or manager must follow the guidance of the agency or specialist authorized by the Ministry of Culture.

Article 17: Organizations, groups, or individuals permitted to use classified immovable or movable property must bear full responsibility and may be required to compensate for any damage caused if the property is allowed to deteriorate. The Ministry of Culture or an agency authorized by the Ministry of Culture may order the cessation of use if the party, after being warned, still fails to fulfill their preservation responsibilities.

Article 18: When a state agency, organization, or individual does not properly preserve classified immovable or movable property under their ownership or management, the registration and supervision agency responsible for guiding the preservation of such property, after officially warning twice without result, must immediately report to the Ministry of Culture for timely implementation of necessary measures to protect the property from deterioration. If the property belongs to the state, administrative unit, or government agency, the Ministry of Culture may order the managing agency to immediately transfer the property to the museum conservation agency or a local cultural agency for preservation. If the property belongs to a people's organization or an individual, the Ministry of Culture may negotiate with the owner to purchase the property, with the price agreed upon by both parties. If it is determined that allowing the owner to retain a classified movable property would cause significant damage, the Ministry of Culture or an authorized agency may decide to temporarily transfer the property to a museum or local cultural bureau for preservation.

Article 19: All movable property mentioned in Article 5 dependent on a classified immovable property are considered classified. The agency responsible for registering classified immovable property has the duty to compile a list of such movable properties and register them regularly.

Article 20: The sale, exchange with foreigners of classified or unclassified movable property of the types mentioned in Article 5 must be approved by the Ministry of Culture.

Article 21: All limestone hills in the plains with scenic beauty and numerous historical relics, pending classification, must be protected. Limestone hills adjacent to the Truong Son range related to historical events shall be classified for protection by the Ministry of Culture through a decree. No agency, organization, unit, or individual may exploit stone or construct construction projects in these two types of limestone hills without the consent of the Ministry of Culture.

Article 22: Local authorities at all levels may cooperate with the United Front, people's organizations, and religious organizations to establish Heritage Protection Committees in places with historical relics, scenic spots, and limestone hills mentioned in Article 21. The Ministry of Culture will issue a circular detailing the tasks of the Heritage Protection Committee and implementation details.

PART V
RESTORATION AND REPAIR

Article 23: To restore or repair a listed immovable or movable property, the owner or the agency, organization responsible for restoration or repair must obtain permission from the authority responsible for registering, monitoring, and guiding the preservation of such property and must follow the guidance of that authority or a specialist designated by the Ministry of Culture. Depending on necessity, the Ministry of Culture and local authorities at all levels will assist the owner or agency, organization mentioned above to facilitate and ensure successful restoration or repair.

Article 24: The costs of restoring and repairing listed immovable and movable properties generally are borne by the owner or the local community. The state budget only covers part of the costs of restoring or repairing listed immovable and movable properties of special historical or artistic value.

Article 25: The Ministry of Culture will stipulate the rules for handling and using the proceeds from the income of each listed immovable property and the funds donated by the public for the purpose of preserving or restoring listed immovable properties.

PART VI
EXPORT OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS

Article 26: To manage the precious heritage of the nation well, all listed or unlisted movable properties belonging to the categories of historical artifacts mentioned in Article 5 shall not be exported or taken out of Vietnam without the approval of the Ministry of Culture.

Article 27: Any individuals or agencies, organizations wishing to take listed artifacts abroad for exhibitions or as gifts must obtain the consent of the Ministry of Culture.

PART VII
REWARD AND DISCIPLINE

Article 28: Individuals, officials, agencies, organizations, and Heritage Protection Committees who have contributed to the good preservation of historical relics, artifacts, and scenic spots, who have donated historical relics, artifacts, and scenic spots to the government, or who have discovered and reported violations of the provisions of this Decree shall be rewarded.

Article 29: Individuals, officials, agencies, organizations, and Heritage Protection Committees violating the provisions of this Decree shall be criticized, warned, or prosecuted before the court and may be punished and required to compensate according to current laws, depending on the severity of the offense.

Article 30: Previous provisions contrary to this Decree are hereby abolished.

Article 31: Implementation details of this Decree shall be stipulated by the Ministry of Culture.

Article 32: The Minister of Culture and the Administrative Committees of regions, cities, and provinces are responsible for implementing this Decree.