Nguyen Dynasty Throne Was Destroyed: Don't Wait Until the Cow is Lost to Build a Barn

Not simply an incident, the incident of the Nguyen Dynasty throne, a national treasure displayed at Thai Hoa Palace (Hue Imperial City) being vandalized by tourists is a warning in heritage protection work.

The incident of a tourist sneaking into the restricted area of ​​Thai Hoa Palace ( Hue Imperial City) and breaking the armrest of the throne carved with a dragon head of the Nguyen Dynasty throne is a rare incident. However, it is unacceptable to cite the reason of "unexpected" or "unpredictable" to justify the serious consequences: a national treasure was damaged right in the most important historical relic like Hue Imperial City.

The Nguyen Dynasty throne is the highest symbol of monarchical power, and is also the last throne in the history of dynasties in Vietnam that has been preserved intact to this day. With its special historical, cultural and artistic value, it is not only a treasure, but also a rare relic that has remained intact since the 19th century. However, what has happened shows that it has not been protected commensurate with that value. A few ropes, a warning sign and no staff on duty... can it really prevent vandals, whether intentional or unintentional?

Close-up of the Nguyen Dynasty throne

PHOTO: HOANG LE

The question is, where is the responsibility for heritage protection when thousands of visitors come and go to the relic every day, when the entrance fee is not low. According to information from the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, the center has recently had many solutions to ensure security in the heritage site (increasing the installation of surveillance cameras, developing regulations for assigning security guards, having mobile units regularly inspect the relic sites...), but the destruction of the throne shows that the security system and the role of supervision and management are still lax.

The act of "learning from experience", "coordinating with experts", "making plans to tighten" after the incident is considered by public opinion to be like "closing the barn door after the horse has been stolen". In this case, this is not only a priceless asset of the nation but also the public's trust in the heritage protection system. It is impossible to expect sympathy from public opinion when a treasure is so easily accessed and destroyed.

Looking around the world , at famous museums such as the Louvre (France), the British Museum (England), or the Palace Museum in Beijing, valuable artifacts, especially national treasures, are placed in bulletproof glass chambers, equipped with motion sensors, alarms, continuous surveillance cameras, and always have staff on duty on site. Ensuring the security of heritage is not simply to avoid loss or destruction, but to demonstrate respect for the history and national treasures of a nation.

The lesson from the destruction of the Nguyen Dynasty throne in the Hue Imperial City must be taken seriously. The cultural and heritage sector needs to review the entire system of displaying treasures nationwide, re-evaluate protection methods, invest in modern equipment, and at the same time improve the capacity of the relic protection force, those who are shouldering the responsibility of preserving a treasure trove of culture and national heritage.

And above all, it is time to have strong enough sanctions: places that do not have the capacity to protect national treasures must withdraw their exhibits, or transfer them to places with better conditions. Heritage does not exist on its own. It needs to be protected by people, with technology and with national pride.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngai-vang-trieu-nguyen-bi-pha-hoai-dung-de-mat-bo-moi-lo-lam-chuong-185250526100416613.htm