Strengthening management and protection of antiques and worship objects at relics

As a province with a large number of relics, the management and protection of antiquities and objects of worship at relics are given attention by localities in the province. In particular, many localities have implemented synchronous preventive solutions to ensure that there is no theft of artifacts, antiquities, objects of worship or that organizations and individuals arbitrarily preserve, repair, or restore relics without permission from competent authorities as prescribed.

Strengthening management and protection of antiques and worship objects at relics Many artifacts at the special national relic site of Le Hoan Temple (Tho Xuan) are displayed in pictures for people and tourists to visit and learn.

Tho Xuan is one of the localities with a large number of relics in the province, with more than 250 relics and relic sites that have been inventoried, including 2 special national relics, Lam Kinh and Le Hoan Temple. In recent years, the district has strengthened the direction and management of the State on cultural heritage, especially the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of relics, ensuring strict implementation of the provisions of the Law on Cultural Heritage, Directive No. 19/CT-UBND dated August 23, 2021 and Document No. 4730/UBND-VX dated April 8, 2022 of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Along with that, the district mobilizes many resources to restore, embellish and promote the values of relics associated with tourism development and synchronously deploy and implement solutions in the management of antiques and worship objects at relics.

Lam Kinh Historical Relic Site has a large number of artifacts and worship objects, including 5 national treasures: Vinh Lang stele (stele recording the life and career of King Le Loi); Khon Nguyen Chi Duc stele (stele of Queen Mother Ngo Thi Ngoc Dao); Chieu Lang stele (stele of King Le Thanh Tong); Du Lang stele (stele of King Le Hien Tong); Kinh Lang stele (stele of King Le Tuc Tong). These are artifacts of special value, rare and representative of the country in terms of history, culture and science, so they are protected and preserved under a "special" regime. The Relic Management Board also focuses on promoting propaganda work to raise awareness and responsibility of the community in joining hands to protect national treasures in particular and relics in general.

Head of Lam Kinh Historical Relic Management Board Nguyen Xuan Toan said: “In recent years, along with preserving and promoting the value of the relic associated with tourism development, the management board has paid special attention to the management and protection of relics, antiques, and worship objects at the relic site. For the areas currently preserving and promoting the value of national treasures in the relic site, we have installed surveillance cameras and have wooden technical fences, with signs guiding visitors to avoid direct impacts affecting the artifacts. Particularly, the stele of King Le Tuc Tong is currently located in Kien Tho commune (Ngoc Lac), the management board closely coordinates with the people and local authorities to carry out good protection work. In addition, every year we conduct an inventory of all artifacts at the relic site and arrange staff to be on duty at the worship and incense offering areas to manage and guide visitors.”

At the special national relic site of Le Hoan Temple (Xuan Lap Commune), there are still many valuable artifacts such as: Orders, land, incense table, jars, plates, ancient bowls, 14 royal decrees of the kings from 1674 to 1887 and a stone plate said to be a gift from the Song Dynasty to King Le Dai Hanh. Along with that, inside the temple there are also two ancient stone steles, a small stele erected in 1601 by Phung Khac Khoan, engraved with the land for worshiping the king of the Tien Le Dynasty; the second stele composed in 1626 is "Le Dai Hanh Hoang De Mieu Dien Bi" which records the merits and career of King Le Dai Hanh during his reign. However, in addition to the two ancient stone steles, artifacts such as incense table, plates, ancient bowls, royal decrees... and especially the stone plate said to be a gift from the Song Dynasty have been carefully preserved by the locality in a private room, secured with many layers of doors.

Vice Chairman of Xuan Lap Commune People's Committee Tong Canh Tien said: "From 2017 to now, some artifacts at the National Special Relic Site of Le Hoan Temple have been protected and stored in a separate area to avoid damage or encroachment from weather and humans. However, the stored artifacts have been displayed in pictures at Le Hoan Temple, serving the people and tourists in visiting and learning about the relic. Along with that, the commune also arranged 2 guardians to regularly look after, protect the relic and guide the people and tourists to offer incense and visit the landscape every day".

It can be said that in recent years, the management, conservation and promotion of the value of relics in the province have achieved important results, with significant contributions from the local community. Up to now, many relics have been invested in, restored and embellished in association with tourism development, contributing to improving the cultural and spiritual life of the people, while widely promoting the image of Thanh land and people.

However, recently in some localities, the management of relics is still not strict, causing chaos and complexity, affecting the relics and the preservation, renovation and restoration of relics. In particular, the situation of bringing inappropriate artifacts, worship objects, and furniture into the relics and the theft of relics and antiques has been prominent, affecting the value and preservation of the original elements, cultural and historical values of the relics. Faced with this situation, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issued Directive No. 19/CT-UBND dated August 23, 2021 and Document No. 4730/UBND-VX dated April 8, 2022, requesting relevant departments, branches, and local authorities to continue to widely disseminate and strictly implement the Law on Cultural Heritage, guiding documents, legal provisions on relevant construction investment, and directives and instructions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism... At the same time, regularly coordinate to organize inspection, examination, and supervision of relic preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation activities, thereby contributing to improving the quality and effectiveness of management and promoting the value of relics in the area.

Article and photos: Hoai Anh

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