Diverse institutions and cultural heritage
When many villages and residential areas merge into one, it will lead to a situation where the same unit has many different cultural institutions (cultural centers, sports training areas) and cultural heritage sites (communal houses, pagodas, temples, festivals, etc.).
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Merging villages and residential areas requires attention to ensuring the cultural needs of the people are met. In the photo: A procession during the traditional festival of Viem Xa residential area, Kinh Bac ward. |
Villages and residential areas need to develop plans to effectively utilize cultural institutions and historical sites, and to organize festivals.
In villages and residential areas with deep similarities in historical origins and customs, mergers will be more advantageous. The proposal by Kinh Bac ward to merge Thi Chung and Yen Man residential areas, along with a part of Ho Ngoc Lan residential area, into Yen Chung residential area has received the support of many residents.
Thi Chung and Yen Man were formerly two villages with the same origins from the ancient village of Yen Xa, both worshipping the same village tutelary deity, Duc Binh Cong. Currently, the two residential areas take turns holding the royal decree. Every year, at the beginning of the second lunar month, the Thi Chung festival is held first, and after it ends, the palanquin is carried to Yen Man to continue the festival. Meanwhile, Ho Ngoc Lan residential area is a new residential area, partly originating from the Thi Chung residential area.
Merging villages and residential areas is a test of community governance capacity at the grassroots level. Skillfully and effectively managing the relationship between cultural preservation and administrative reform will foster solidarity and create new impetus for development. |
Ms. Bach Quynh Mai, a resident of Thi Chung neighborhood, said that the residents are ready to implement the merger to improve public administration efficiency, and also hope that the ward and province will consider assigning a team of part-time personnel to the neighborhood to ensure effectiveness.
Similarly, in Song Lieu ward, the merger of the two residential areas of Man Xa Dong and Man Xa Tay will also be favorable because both units share the same origin from Man Xa village and have long jointly organized festivals at the ancestral temple, which houses the statue of the Mother Buddha Man Nuong, recognized by the state as a national treasure.
However, not all villages and residential areas share similarities that would make mergers and consolidations easy. In reality, most villages have their own communal house, their own legends, their own festivals, and worship different guardian deities. Therefore, when merging, if local authorities act mechanically and rigidly by combining everything into one, it will immediately hurt the cultural pride of the people.
The fear of being left behind, the fear of losing one's roots, or the uncontrolled debate about the central role between large and small villages, and between large and small communal houses, are the seeds of discord that can fracture national unity if not addressed adequately and promptly.
Effective management creates momentum for development.
Mr. Nguyen Van Dap, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province, frankly pointed out that after the merger of villages and residential areas, it is necessary to pay close attention to harmonizing the cultural identity of the community, respecting customs and the legitimate religious needs of the people. For units with many isolated historical sites after the merger, the locality can establish a Steering Committee or Organizing Committee for the festival. Under this common structure, subcommittees will still be maintained to be in charge of each temple and pagoda separately, in order to preserve the independence of each traditional festival.
This model ensures unified coordination in security and order, environmental sanitation, fire prevention and control, and finance, while respecting the unique intangible cultural heritage of each location. During operation, solutions will gradually be found to optimize organizational resources, saving budget, avoiding waste, and creating a space for interaction and fostering camaraderie among merged members.
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The Party Building Committee of Van Son commune updates information on part-time community workers in the villages for monitoring and training. Photo: Sy Quyet. |
Ngoc Thien commune currently has 80 villages. The commune's plan anticipates reducing the number of villages by 55, leaving 25. The commune People's Committee has directed specialized departments and villages to review and inventory all public facilities and assets at cultural centers and village headquarters before reorganization; assess the current state of use, quality of the facilities, and actual needs of the people in the merged villages.
Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries. For community centers located in newly established villages, select a location that is convenient in terms of transportation and centrally situated, ensuring sufficient space and facilities to serve community activities, meetings, and the organization of cultural and sports events for the people; prioritize using existing facilities that are still in good condition and adequately meet the needs of the new village to save on investment costs.
For cultural centers and surplus premises, continued management and protection will be considered for appropriate use, such as: serving as community centers for residential areas; venues for cultural, artistic, and sports activities; and storage facilities for community equipment, etc.
Merging villages and residential areas is a test of community governance capacity at the grassroots level. Skillfully and effectively managing the relationship between cultural preservation and administrative reform will foster solidarity and create new impetus for development; conversely, a rigid and imposed approach can easily create the feeling that administrative mergers lead to cultural assimilation. Maintaining diversity within unity is the golden key to transforming heritage values into a binding force, strengthening community solidarity.
Thanh Huong
Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/giu-hon-di-san-de-gan-ket-cong-dong-postid448395.bbg
