Two functional departments of Quang Ninh "fight" over responsibility for the strange statue "growing" on Ha Long Bay.

Businesses place statues in the wrong place

In recent days, public opinion in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province has been stirred up by the story of a statue named “Coral Goddess” appearing on the waters of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay. It is worth noting that this statue was licensed by the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh Province for exhibition purposes not for commercial purposes, but there are opinions reflecting that the business unit has organized a fee for tourists to check in.

On July 27, speaking with Cong Thuong Newspaper regarding the incident of a strange statue named "Coral Goddess" appearing on the waters of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay, causing mixed public opinion in the past few days, Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of Ha Long Bay Management Board, affirmed that Ha Long Bay Management Board has absolutely no information about the exhibition of the "Coral Goddess" statue on Ha Long Bay.

“The licensing of the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh province and the Ha Long Bay Management Board are not known and have not been discussed between the two parties. The licensing authority belongs to the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh province according to Decree 23 of the Government, the Bay Management Board does not have the authority to do this. The fact that the enterprise placed the statue in the wrong position and collected service fees is the responsibility of the enterprise that did not comply with the request and permission,” said Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board.

The “strange” statue named “Coral Goddess” appearing on the waters of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay has caused controversy on many online forums in recent days. Photo: N.Son.

According to research, the statue "Coral Goddess" was granted a copyright registration certificate by the Copyright Office (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) on June 27, 2024. Mr. Nguyen Tang Hoang in Quang Tri is the author of this statue, and is also the owner of the Sun Hill business household in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

Mr. Ngo Thanh Tung, representative of the Sun Hill business household, said that he and some people bought the statue in Quang Tri province in early 2024 to bring to the Lighthouse tourist destination to serve the photography needs of tourists and named it "Coral Goddess".

Accordingly, the Lighthouse tourist site will be put into operation on June 15, 2024. The Sun Hill business household will charge a fee of 55,000 VND/tourist (without drinks) and 90,000 - 170,000 VND/tourist (with drinks).

Responding to information about charging entrance fees to the exhibition of the statue of the “Coral Goddess” while this is an exhibition for non-commercial purposes, Mr. Ngo Thanh Tung affirmed that the unit is allowed to charge fees at the Lighthouse tourist site because the statue is located in this tourist site, so people misunderstand.

"The statue is placed on the sand, but when the tide is high, the statue is partially submerged, so many people just looking at the photo will think the statue is placed in Ha Long Bay," said Mr. Ngo Thanh Tung.

Mr. Ngo Thanh Tung said that immediately after receiving comments from the Ha Long City People's Committee, the unit accepted the province's direction and moved the "Coral Goddess" statue to another location on July 25 and temporarily stopped collecting entrance fees to the Lighthouse tourist site.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Long City (Quang Ninh Province) also confirmed that the Sun Hill business household had moved the statue out of the waters of the World Natural Heritage Ha Long Bay.

Conflicting responses about the responsibility of the strange statue that "grew" in Ha Long Bay

Regarding this incident, many people are wondering who is responsible? Responding to the press earlier, Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh, said: "The responsibility for placing the strange statue on Ha Long Bay belongs to the Ha Long Bay Management Board."

However, in response to this information, Mr. Vu Kien Cuong affirmed that, up to now, the Management Board has not had any documents approving the organization of an exhibition about the "Coral Goddess" statue in Ha Long Bay.

The statue of the “Coral Goddess” has been moved ashore. Photo: N.Son.

Mr. Vu Kien Cuong also said that all socio-economic activities on Ha Long Bay as well as coastal areas of the bay must strictly comply with legal regulations on protecting, preserving, embellishing and promoting the value of world natural heritage, special national monuments and comply with UNESCO's recommendations on heritage management.

“For cultural works and artifacts, it is necessary to consider very carefully and cautiously the aesthetic factors, the suitability with the identity of customs, and the harmony with the landscape on the shore of the heritage. In case there are many sensitive factors, the management and licensing agencies should discuss and consult with relevant agencies to avoid unfortunate incidents. Even when the operation is permitted, it is necessary to check whether the implementation of the enterprise complies with the licensed content and the committed content or not,” Mr. Vu Kien Cuong added.

Mr. Cuong suggested that the Department of Culture and Sports of Quang Ninh review the licensing of the statue exhibition in accordance with the law.

The company that was assigned land and water surface in the Bai Chay Lighthouse area also confirmed that the unit did not have any documents approving the organization of the exhibition and display of the statue. The organization of the exhibition and display of the statue "Coral Goddess" was carried out by the partner who rented the premises.

The business side said it was also surprised by the content of the license to display the statue "Coral Goddess" which was quite general, without specifying the location or specific place of display.

UNESCO recognized Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago as world natural heritage.

Thus, the response between the two units, the Department of Culture - Sports of Quang Ninh and the Ha Long Bay Management Board, regarding the statue of the "Coral Goddess" is showing a "disparity" in management responsibilities, causing public opinion to continue to question. When a strange statue suddenly "grows" on the heritage land of Ha Long Bay and the enterprise does the opposite of the initial proposal of non-commercial, which unit is responsible?

In addition, many people also commented that the existence of a statue of unknown origin, meaning, and purpose in a national tourist site is very offensive. Therefore, the authorities need to consider and even permanently remove the statue. Because the existence of a "hybrid" culture, easygoing foreign worship, lacking consideration and thinking in the midst of a national historical and scenic complex is unacceptable.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/hai-nganh-chuc-nang-quang-ninh-da-nhau-trach-nhiem-ve-buc-tuong-la-moc-tren-vinh-ha-long-335195.html