Program No. 84/2008/CT-BVHTTDL on Strengthening Management and Guidance to Promote the Establishment and Development of Museums and Private Collections

 DIRECTIVE

ON STRENGTHENING THE MANAGEMENT AND GUIDANCE WORK TO PROMOTE THE ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS

In recent times, the implementation of the socialization policy of the Party and State regarding museum activities nationwide has achieved significant accomplishments, contributing to enhancing cultural enjoyment for the people and promoting the distinctive features of Vietnam's history and culture. However, the management work of the state, guidance, and professional direction aimed at promoting the establishment and development of private museums and collections have not been adequately focused on, resulting in achievements that do not match the potential of society and the policies of the Party and State regarding the socialization of museum activities. The main reasons are that localities and competent agencies have not fully recognized the position, role, and development potential of private museums and collections in the process of socializing museum activities; the construction, issuance, and implementation of mechanisms and policies encouraging the establishment and development of private museums and collections are still lacking in coordination and effectiveness.

To continue promoting the establishment and development of private museums and collections, contributing to accelerating the socialization of activities to protect and promote the value of cultural heritage, effectively implementing the Master Plan for the Overall System of Museums in Vietnam until 2020 approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 156/2005/QĐ-TTg dated June 23, 2005, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests all agencies and units under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism to implement the following issues well:

I. REGARDING AWARENESS

Officials, civil servants, and employees in agencies and units under the Ministry, and Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism must thoroughly and fully understand the objectives and viewpoints on developing private museums and collections:

1. Regarding objectives

a) Leveraging the intellectual resources, passion, and material foundations of organizations and individuals to jointly with the state promote the cause of protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage and socializing museum activities.

b) Creating conditions for organizations and individuals to establish and expand the operations of private museums and collections.

c) Diversifying cultural and tourism products, contributing to improving the cultural life of the people and promoting the development of tourism activities.

2. Regarding viewpoints

a) Ensuring the property rights of owners of cultural heritage while emphasizing the responsibilities of organizations and individuals towards cultural heritage; implementing fair social policies regarding contributions, creativity, and cultural enjoyment by the people.

b) Emphasizing the responsibility of functional agencies and authorities at all levels for the protection and promotion of the value of cultural heritage, while effectively utilizing the resources of organizations and individuals to develop the system of private museums and collections.

c) Developing private museums and collections should be appropriate to each locality; prioritizing and encouraging the development of private museums and collections in urban areas and cultural-tourism centers.

II. KEY TASKS

1. Strengthening propaganda and dissemination of the policies of the Party and laws of the state, especially the Law on Cultural Heritage and related regulatory legal documents concerning the development of the network of private museums and collections; promptly motivating and rewarding organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements in establishing and effectively operating private museums and collections.

2. Concentrating on building systems of regulatory legal documents, mechanisms, and policies to be issued by the Minister or submitted to competent authorities for issuance to promote the establishment and development of private museums and collections.

3. Implementing synchronously and effectively specialized and professional activities within the responsibility of state management agencies on culture to help organizations and individuals meet the legal requirements for establishing and operating private museums and collections.

4. Investigating and researching the implementation of the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of Private Museums, issued according to Decision No. 09/2004/QĐ-BVHTT dated February 24, 2004, of the Minister of Culture - Information (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of Private Museums), simultaneously surveying and researching some models of private museums to identify and resolve difficulties and obstacles in the process of establishing and operating private museums and collections; creating conditions for owners of private museums and collections to exploit and promote the value of cultural heritage they own.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Heritage Department shall be responsible for

a) Organizing research and proposing amendments and supplements to the Law on Cultural Heritage and related regulatory legal documents to establish appropriate mechanisms and policies to promote the establishment and development of private museums and collections.

b) Coordinating with Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct inspections and evaluations of the implementation of the Regulations on the Organization and Operation of Private Museums in localities, and conducting research on some models of private museums to identify and resolve difficulties and obstacles in the process of establishing and operating private museums and collections.

c) Directing and guiding Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism and subordinate functional units to actively build and implement plans to register cultural relics, antiques, and national treasures owned by organizations and individuals in their jurisdictions according to the procedures and formalities for registering cultural relics, antiques, and national treasures stipulated in Circular No. 07/2004/TT-BVHTT dated February 19, 2004, of the Ministry of Culture - Information, now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; coordinating with the Antique Appraisal Council of the Ministry and the Scientific Councils of National Museums to guide and assist localities in the process of appraising the value of cultural relics, antiques, and national treasures owned by organizations and individuals.

d) Coordinate with relevant training institutions under the Ministry to organize training courses on expertise in the appraisal of cultural relics, antiques, and national treasures.

2. Museums under the Ministry shall be responsible for:

a) Within their functions, tasks, authorities, and practical conditions, actively cooperate and provide professional assistance to ensure that private collections have activities and contents consistent with those of the museums themselves, thereby facilitating their establishment and effective operation.

b) Develop and implement plans to collaborate with owners of museums and private collections to organize exhibitions of collections that align with the objects and activities of the museums at suitable locations.

3. Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall be responsible for:

a) Proactively advise and propose to provincial People's Committees and relevant departments to promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles (regarding land, technical infrastructure, production and business conditions) to create favorable conditions for the establishment and development of museums and private collections.

b) Organize the planning and implementation of registration procedures for cultural relics, antiques, and national treasures for owners of museums and private collections; concentrate financial resources and competent staff for the registration process to assist organizations and individuals in establishing and operating museums and private collections according to legal regulations.

c) Direct functional units under the Department and museums to strengthen state management, while proactively guiding and assisting in professional matters for museums and private collections within their jurisdiction.

d) Direct and create conditions for museums under the Department to regularly organize exhibitions of collections from both museums and private collections. In cases where new museums are constructed or existing ones are renovated, design should allocate appropriate space for short-term thematic exhibitions and displays to ensure readiness for hosting exhibitions of collections from other museums and private collections.

đ) Direct tourism enterprises under the province and city to incorporate museums and private collections into tourist routes.

4. News agencies in the sector shall be responsible for:

Continuously publicizing the Party's policies, State laws, and industry guidelines on developing museum networks and private collections; promptly recognizing and promoting museums and private collections that operate effectively and contribute significantly to the industry and society.

IV. EFFECTIVE DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION

This Directive shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Request all agencies and units under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism to strictly implement this Directive./.