To be worthy of being the 'cradle' of national treasures

Although considered the "cradle" of 12 national treasures, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is still struggling with many infrastructure shortcomings; its equipment is not worthy of the status of a first-class museum.

GRADE 1 MUSEUM SUFFERS FROM… HEAT

If counting the first building of the museum built in 1915, up to now, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is 110 years old. After many upgrades, expansions and renovations, the museum still retains its unique architecture from the combination of French neoclassical style and Cham architecture. Over a century of formation and development, the museum holds great value not only in terms of history, science , architecture - art but also in terms of culture - tourism. In 2011, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture was ranked as a grade 1 museum in Vietnam. In early 2021, the People's Committee of Da Nang City issued a decision to recognize the museum as a city-level historical relic.

Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture proposes to set up a special room to display the bronze statue of Bodhisattva Tara instead of introducing the current version.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The Cham Sculpture Museum currently has 2,000 artifacts, of which 500 are displayed in 10 spaces. Of the 12 national treasures currently preserved, 11 are displayed in 6 spaces. The Dong Duong Tara Bodhisattva statue is only displayed in a copy. This is a particularly rare artifact with symbolic value of Buddhism, the only artifact in the museum's collection made of bronze. Ms. Le Thi Thu Trang, Director of the museum, said that every year the museum welcomes more than 250,000 visitors, including diplomatic delegations from the Central and City. However, in the summer, the museum is very hot, affecting the experience of visitors, diplomatic delegations and the work of preserving artifacts.

"Currently, the museum renovation and upgrade project has a heat-proofing item, but it only stops at providing additional ventilation for the area connecting the two exhibition buildings. The main exhibition rooms such as Tra Kieu, My Son, Dong Duong, Phong Le thematic exhibition room, reception area... do not have an air-conditioning system to cool down. Equipment and means for displaying and preserving artifacts are still outdated, not meeting the practical needs in protecting the security and safety of artifacts, especially national treasures," said Ms. Trang.

According to Ms. Trang, the application of IT and digital transformation at museums is still limited, especially in security, ticket sales, ticket checking, communication, promotion, and artifact management...

ESTABLISH A SPECIAL ROOM FOR TARA STATUE

At a recent meeting with Vice Chairwoman of Da Nang City People's Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi (August 19), the Director of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture proposed that the leaders of Da Nang City consider investing in a solar energy system and air conditioners to improve service quality and preserve artifacts. According to Ms. Trang, along with the national treasure Dong Duong Altar and the value of Dong Duong Buddhist Institute, the display of the original statue of Bodhisattva Tara will create an attractive spiritual tourism product. "I propose that the city leaders approve the construction of a special exhibition room to ensure absolute safety for artifacts and serve visitors. The unit will develop an outline and plan to display the original for the national treasure Bodhisattva Tara statue," Ms. Trang proposed.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi (left cover) , Vice Chairwoman of Da Nang City People's Committee, inspected the exhibition and construction work to upgrade the museum on August 19.

PHOTO: SX

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi acknowledged that the Museum of Cham Sculpture still faces many difficulties in terms of facilities to serve visitors and protect and promote the value of the artifacts and national treasures it is preserving. To be worthy of being a national-level type 1 museum, a leading specialized museum on Cham sculpture, Ms. Thi requested that the museum focus on solutions to protect and preserve artifacts, especially national treasures; complete the display plan for Bodhisattva Tara Dong Duong; soon deploy an automatic explanation system and digital exhibition platform...

The Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City assigned the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to preside over and coordinate with relevant units to advise the People's Committee of the City to consider and decide on investment policies for urgent items, such as air conditioning systems, solar energy, special exhibition rooms... Regarding the project to renovate, repair and upgrade the museum (expected to be completed on November 1, 2025, with a total capital of 11.4 billion VND) which is behind schedule, Ms. Thi directed the contractor to speed up the progress but ensure the quality of the project, strictly comply with technical requirements, and protect the original elements of the relic...

The historical site of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is preserving 12 national treasures.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

"The goal is that after completing the renovation project, the Cham Sculpture Museum must meet infrastructure standards, meet technology and service quality requirements, and be worthy of being a first-class museum and a unique cultural destination of Da Nang and Vietnam," Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi emphasized.

Security needs to be increased.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Trang said that the museum has now completed its security team with 11 people (divided into 2 shifts) on duty regularly and 48 surveillance cameras in the exhibition rooms. However, with a large area and many hidden corners, the museum needs to have an additional smart surveillance system to support security and protection work. "With its own funding, the museum cannot implement the equipment of a smart surveillance system, so we propose that the city consider investing in a smart surveillance system for the museum to ensure security and safety of artifacts at the unit," Ms. Trang said, adding that in the near future, the museum will complete the application for recognition of 3 more national treasures.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-xung-tam-cai-noi-bao-vat-quoc-gia-185250824214957077.htm