Vietnam promotes cooperation with UNESCO in preserving documentary heritage

On July 24, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Deputy Minister and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu received a delegation of UNESCO documentary heritage experts led by Dr. Fackson Banda, Head of the Documentary Heritage Department, UNESCO Memory of the World Program.

Permanent Deputy Minister and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu received Dr. Fackson Banda, Head of the Documentary Heritage Department, UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Also attending the reception were Chairman of the International Advisory Council of the UNESCO Memory of the World Program Johannes Joseph Maria Bos; Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Le Thi Hong Van; Vice President of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia- Pacific (MOWCAP) Vu Thi Minh Huong and officials of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO.

Speaking at the reception, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu expressed his delight at the comprehensive, substantive and effective cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO. The Deputy Minister particularly appreciated the role of the Memory of the World Program - a meaningful initiative of UNESCO to preserve, protect and disseminate valuable documentary heritages, intellectual and cultural treasures, reflecting the depth of history and identity of peoples around the world.

The program not only helps raise awareness of the importance of documentary heritage, but also promotes cooperation between countries, facilitates experience sharing and supports the development of a network of experts in the field of document preservation and digitization.

Permanent Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that through the Program and with valuable support from experts, many "hidden treasures" of Vietnam have been discovered, preserved, and strongly spread to the domestic and international communities.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that Vietnam is committed to accompanying UNESCO in its efforts to preserve human memory. Vietnam currently owns 73 heritage sites and UNESCO titles, including 11 documentary heritages recognized by UNESCO, and is implementing many initiatives for preservation and digitization, as well as submitting new dossiers, with the hope of turning their potential into regional and world heritage.

At the reception, the Deputy Minister particularly appreciated the role of the Memory of the World Program - a meaningful initiative of UNESCO to preserve, protect and disseminate valuable documentary heritages, intellectual and cultural treasures, reflecting the depth of history and identity of peoples around the world. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

In that spirit, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu proposed that UNESCO continue to accompany Vietnam through specific forms of support such as: consulting on policy development, sharing international expertise, and organizing training courses to improve capacity for experts and staff working in the field of documentary heritage conservation.

At the same time, he also expressed his wish to receive support and advice from UNESCO for the nomination dossiers that Vietnam is actively preparing, including: Han Nom steles on Non Nuoc mountain (Ninh Binh province); Ancient Han Nom books of the Nguyen Huy family, Truong Luu village (Ha Tinh province); Pho Hien stone steles system (Hung Yen province) - valuable archives reflecting the depth of culture, education and traditional beliefs of the Vietnamese people over many centuries.

In addition, Vietnam is also considering the possibility of coordinating with France to build a joint nomination dossier on “Archives of Indochina (1862–1954)”. The Deputy Minister expressed his belief that, with close coordination between Vietnam and UNESCO, the Memory of the World Programme will continue to strongly promote its role in connecting the past, present and future, contributing to building a world rich in identity, humanity and sustainability.

On behalf of the delegation of experts, Dr. Fackson Banda expressed his honor to visit Vietnam at such a meaningful time – when Vietnam is looking forward to celebrating major holidays. He expressed his honor to be the representative of UNESCO to directly present the World Documentary Heritage Certificate to the Collection of the late Musician Hoang Van – a monument of Vietnamese revolutionary music, who has left a deep impression in the minds of many generations of Vietnamese people.

Dr. Banda highly appreciated Vietnam's seriousness, methodical spirit and professionalism throughout the entire process of building the dossier, from research, collection, preservation to presentation of the collection's outstanding global value.

Permanent Deputy Minister and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Minh Vu took a souvenir photo with the delegation of experts. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Dr. Vu Minh Huong, Vice President of the Memory of the World Committee for the Asia-Pacific region, and a direct consultant for the dossier, shared more about the journey of preparing the dossier of the late musician Hoang Van. She emphasized that this was an exemplary collaborative effort between Vietnamese experts and a team of international experts.

According to her, the highlight of the dossier lies not only in the artistic, ideological and historical value of the heritage, but also in demonstrating a humane and emotional approach in preserving the vivid memory of a period of Vietnamese history through music.

Sharing about the working trip, Dr. Banda said that he had the opportunity to conduct field surveys at some typical documentary heritages that have been recognized by UNESCO such as the Doctorate Steles of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam and the Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks. He was impressed by Vietnam's serious investment and comprehensive approach to conservation, not only to protect the original values, but also to promote the spread of heritage to the community, especially the younger generation.

Dr. Banda also appreciated Vietnam's establishment of a solid legal framework through the Law on Heritage (amended), which includes a separate chapter for documentary heritage, demonstrating Vietnam's strategic vision in this field.

He believes that with its rich potential, synchronous legal system and experienced experts, Vietnam will play a pioneering role in the Asia-Pacific region in preserving and promoting documentary heritage and promoting regional cooperation.

He also encouraged Vietnam to proactively expand international cooperation, including in building joint records with countries with developed archives such as France, thereby contributing to enriching the common memory of humanity.

On the same afternoon, at Ho Guom Theater, a solemn ceremony was held to receive the UNESCO World Documentary Heritage Certificate for the Collection of musical works of the late musician Hoang Van - an event taking place on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of his birth (July 24, 1930 - July 24, 2025).

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-thuc-day-hop-tac-voi-unesco-trong-bao-ton-di-san-tu-lieu-322162.html