Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism gives opinions on the project to restore and embellish Xuan Lung pagoda relic

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong signed Official Dispatch No. 2332/BVHTTDL-DSVH to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province regarding the appraisal of the Project to restore and embellish Xuan Lung Pagoda relic.

Accordingly, on May 12, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism received Official Dispatch No. 2351/UBND KGVX from the People's Committee of Phu Tho province regarding the request for appraisal of the Project to restore and embellish the Xuan Lung pagoda relic, Xuan Lung commune, Lam Thao district.

The national relic Xuan Lung Pagoda, Xuan Lung Commune, Lam Thao District, Phu Tho Province caught fire at around 10am on October 23 - Photo: VGP/Diep Anh

After reviewing and evaluating, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism gave its opinion on the agreement on the Project to restore and embellish the Xuan Lung Pagoda relic in the following contents: Overall planning of the relic; Restoration of the Three Jewels (according to the architecture of the building before the fire); reconstruction of the Three Gate, Mother House, toilets; construction of new lecture halls, monks' houses, ceremony houses, votive burning floors, kitchens, toilets; renovation of yards, gardens, and technical infrastructure.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism noted that for the lecture hall, it is necessary to reduce the scale; For the plan to restore the Tam Bao, it is necessary to design the Tam Bao truss according to the model of the truss of the building before the fire; For the plan to arrange the interior and worship items, it is recommended not to make arched doors at the axes mentioned in the official dispatch; do not use fluorescent lamps to light the interior of the building.

Regarding the system of artifacts at Tam Bao, before the fire, Tam Bao still preserved a system of statues and worship objects with historical and artistic value (a system of statues made of clay, wood, etc.). Therefore, it is recommended that the People's Committee of Phu Tho province direct specialized agencies to continue surveying and evaluating the system of artifacts and worship objects, and propose solutions for maximum restoration and preservation. In case of no possibility of reuse, select valuable artifacts to preserve at the relic.

• Xuan Lung Pagoda Fire: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests urgent measures to protect national treasures

• Proposing solutions to protect, preserve, renovate and restore relics and artifacts at Xuan Lung Pagoda (Phu Tho)

Regarding the National Treasure Stone Buddha Altar, implementing the opinion of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Official Dispatch No. 4839/BVHTTDL-DSVH on the conservation plan for this artifact, it will only be relocated to serve the restoration work of the artifact when absolutely necessary and must ensure that there is a plan to protect the artifact during the relocation process.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also proposed adjusting the design of the ceremony house towards gable wall architecture (without a gable roof).

The dossier needs to clarify the construction history of the works, supplement with color photos of the current status and documents about the Tam Bao works before the fire; written opinions of the People on the master plan, plans for renovation, embellishment, new construction and arrangement of worship at the works.

Previously, in November 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Official Dispatch No. 4839/BVHTTDL-DSVH to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province regarding proposed solutions to protect, preserve, renovate and restore relics and artifacts at Xuan Lung Pagoda.

Based on the report of the working group and the actual situation of the fire scene at Xuan Lung pagoda, according to the assessment of the working group, the architecture and system of artifacts (national treasures, clay statues, wooden statues) were all affected.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested the People's Committee of Phu Tho province to promptly assess and conclude the cause of the fire to clarify responsibilities; and to strengthen the protection and preservation of other relics in the province.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/bo-vhttdl-cho-y-kien-tham-dinh-du-an-tu-bo-ton-tao-di-tich-chua-xuan-lung-20250527082857899.htm