Ministry sets tab for conserving relics at 526 mln USD over five years

In the previous five years, under the National Target Programme on Culture, 4.54 trillion VND was allotted for protecting 130 relics and doing minor restoration works on 810 others but managed to only achieve 65 percent and 80 percent of the target, respectively. 

The programme also funded the task of identifying and preserving 455 intangible heritage, compiling dossiers on intangible cultural masterpieces for UNESCO recognition, and preserving five traditional villages. 

The ministry is likely to get 15.4 trillion VND for the programme for the next five years. 

The most important tasks in the period will be to complete the restoration and preservation of national relics including the former royal capital Hue, the old town of Hoi An, the Cham Sanctuary in My Son, the Hung Kings Temple in Phu Tho, and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. 

Some national-level historical and architectural landmarks and famous landscapes that facing deterioration will also be restored. 

Monuments put up for revolutionary bases like ATK Viet Bac and others, the HCM Trail, and colonial-era prisons will get a face lift. 

The ministry hopes to restore 50–60 relics each year and protect 100-150 others. 

All this is expected to cost of 11 trillion VND, with 6.5 trillion VND coming f-rom the Government's coffers, 2.5 trillion VND f-rom local funds, and 2 trillion VND f-rom other sources. 

The ministry also proposes to earmark 400 billion VND (19 million USD) for collecting, preserving, and highlighting intangible heritage of Vietnam 's 54 different ethnic groups. 

This will involve popularising heritage already identified, completing the intangible heritage map, and compiling dossiers on three relics for UNESCO approval. 

Around 800 billion VND is expected to be earmarked for developing traditional arts by building or upgrading performance venues, training artists, and compiling a school curriculum for traditional arts. /.