Hue deploys many solutions to protect national relics and treasures

Heartbreaking loss of national treasure

The recent incidents of vandalism and theft of relics at the National Museum of Vietnam in several provinces and cities have caused experts and the public to worry about the current protection and preservation of relics and treasures. For example, at around 12:00 on May 24, Ho Van Phuong Tam (born in 1983, residing in Hue City) bought an entrance ticket to the Hue Imperial City and entered the Thai Hoa Palace area. Here, the subject showed unusual behavior, so a security guard invited the subject to go to the back of the palace. However, the subject then returned, sneaked into the area displaying the Nguyen Dynasty throne, shouted and broke the front left-hand rest of the throne.

After the incident, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center requested the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum to bring the Nguyen Dynasty throne back to the antiquities warehouse for storage and preservation, and to display the restored throne at Thai Hoa Palace for visitors. According to cultural researchers, the destruction of the Nguyen Dynasty throne is a very regrettable thing because this is an intact and sophisticated throne, a symbol of the supreme power of the Nguyen Dynasty throughout its 143 years of existence, and was recognized as a National Museum in 2015.

Or in Thanh Hoa province, in early May 2025, the Thanh Hoa Center for Historical Research and Heritage Conservation discovered signs of encroachment in the tomb area. Immediately afterwards, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa province coordinated with the provincial police to inspect and examine the scene. The inspection results showed that the tomb of King Le Tuc Tong had been dug up by 3 Chinese subjects. The hole was about 1.6m deep. At the scene, the authorities seized 14 pieces of stone stele engraved with Chinese characters and dragon motifs from the Le Dynasty that had been broken by thieves. In addition, 15 pieces of gray-black bricks were also discovered...

The two incidents of the above-mentioned relics and national parks being violated and the unfortunate incidents related to relics or national parks previously being burned or damaged due to preservation or human impact in some localities have sounded the alarm bell about the protection of relics, antiquities and national parks. With more than 4 million artifacts and 327 national parks being stored in museums and relics across the country, experts said that it is necessary to urgently have more optimal measures to protect relics and national parks to avoid being violated like the unfortunate incidents that have just occurred. At the same time, raise awareness of the community, people and tourists about the value of heritage and the responsibility to preserve and protect the precious assets of the nation.

7.jpg -0 — Set up a fence to protect exhibits at Hue Imperial City.

Many protection solutions…

The Complex of Hue Monuments with values recognized by UNESCO is not only a property of Vietnam but also of humanity... In Hue City, there are currently 14 artifacts/groups of artifacts (including 40 artifacts) recognized by the Prime Minister as a National Monument. Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, said that, implementing the direction of the Hue City People's Committee, the Center has just deployed plans to preserve and protect artifacts and architectural works at relic sites in the Complex of Hue Monuments. Accordingly, there will be a flow and tour route at a number of architectural works and relic sites.

Specifically, at the The To Mieu relic (Hue Imperial Citadel), which is a place to worship 10 Nguyen Dynasty kings, to ensure the solemnity, in the coming time, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center will adjust the plan to receive visitors inside, only allowing visitors from the outside with the plan to place a fence outside the shrine, only opening the middle doors of The To Mieu. To serve the religious needs and create conditions for visitors to learn about the history and architecture of The To Mieu, the management unit arranges an altar in front of The To Mieu for visitors to offer incense and at the same time organizes an exhibition to introduce, provide information and images of the The To Mieu relic located at Hien Lam Cac.

At Minh Thanh Palace (Gia Long King's tomb), the plan for visiting the interior of Minh Thanh Palace will be adjusted in groups of up to 10 people with polite attire. In case the visitors' attire is not suitable, the management unit will provide ao dai for service. Each National Park has developed protection plans for measures to prevent and combat fires, theft, natural disasters, etc. to ensure safety. Currently, plans to ensure security, safety and risk response measures have been deployed.

For the Nguyen Dynasty throne, before and after recognition, the artifacts were displayed at Thai Hoa Palace, with a fence to prevent visitors, 24/7 security, surveillance cameras and an alarm system. For the Giao Ao Te artifact, because the artifact is made of fabric, it is susceptible to mold, leading to damage, so the artifact is preserved in an antique warehouse with air conditioning, a dehumidification system, placed in a cabinet with a layer of acid-free paper wrapped around it; periodically, the Museum staff checks the condition of the artifact. For the National Museum of the Minh Mang Dynasty, the reliefs are displayed and protected separately in a specialized tempered glass cabinet. Or for the Duy Tan Emperor Throne, which is being displayed and protected in a tempered glass frame at Long An Palace (Hue Royal Antiquities Museum)...

The national museums are made of many materials (gold, bronze, stone, fabric, wood, etc.) with different historical dates, protection and preservation conditions. In particular, for the national museums with large sizes, closely associated with the historical space of the relic, difficult to move such as: Nine Urns, Nine Divine Cannons, bronze cauldron, Khiem Cung Ky stele, Dai Hong Chung of Thien Mu Pagoda, Ngu Kien Thien Mu Pagoda stele, Ngo Mon Bell, Nguyen Dynasty throne will continue to be displayed by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center at the same location as the location where the artifacts once existed. Currently, the management unit has installed a protective fence system for the above national museums...

In addition, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center has introduced other protection measures such as increasing security forces for the National Museum; coordinating with local authorities to strengthen coordination and patrolling of the area; placing warning signs prohibiting touching artifacts at places where artifacts are displayed; implementing a project to install camera systems, anti-intrusion alarms, and fire alarms at the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum. In addition, the authorities have increased protection for the warehouse area where the National Museum is being preserved and kept.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Tieu-diem-van-hoa/hue-trien-khai-nhieu-giai-phap-bao-ve-di-tich-bao-vat-quoc-gia-i779823/