Luận án quản lý nhà nước về di sản văn hóa vật thể thế giới tại việt nam

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
AND TRAINING

MINISTRY OF HOME
AFFAIRS

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

TRIỆU THỊ NGỌC

STATE MANAGEMENT OF THE WORLD’S TANGIBLE
CULTURAL HERITAGES IN VIỆT NAM

Field of study: Public Management
Code: 9 34 04 03

SUMMARY OF DOCTOR THESIS

HÀ NỘI, 2022


The thesis is completed at:
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Supervisors:
1. Dr. Trinh Thanh Ha
2. Dr. Nguyen Danh Nga

Reviewer 1: ...................................................................................
Reviewer 2: ...................................................................................
Reviewer 3: ...................................................................................

The thesis shall be defended in front of the Academy-level Thesis
Evaluation Council.
Venue: The Doctoral Thesis Defence – Meeting Room….. Block
……, National Academy of Public Administration. No. 77 Nguyen
Chi Thanh Street – Dong Da District - Hà Nội
Time: at ……… hour ….. date … month …. year 2022
The thesis can be found at The Library of the National Academy of
Public Administration, the Post Graduate Faculty’s Website; and
the National Library of Vietnam.

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INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale
Culture and cultural heritages form a field of interest to every
country over the world. Preserving and promoting the value of cultural
heritages has become a globally social issue. One of the ways to carry out
the function of maintaining, enhancing and disseminating the knowledge
of one organization, as prescribed by UNESCO, is to conserve and protect
world heritages of books, art works and other historical or scientific
works, and to recommend concerned countries on necessary international
conventions, in order to enhance cultural understanding by each country
in the world, and to create an environment of peace, cooperation and
development of the mankind.
The Vietnam Communist Party (VCP) and the State are particularly
interested in preserving and promoting the values of cultural heritages and
the world’s tangible cultural heritages (hereinafter, WTCHs) in the
country. The 8th VCP National Party Congress determined that “Cultural

heritages form an invaluable asset that unites ethnic communities, being
the core of the national identity and the basis for creating new values and
cultural exchanges”. The Party’s above-mentioned viewpoint has
continuously been affirmed throughout many of its terms, concretized into
many important resolutions, and concretized by the State through legal
regulations suitable to each development period of society.
Over the past time, implementing the Party’s resolutions and the the
State’s laws, many provinces and cities throughout the country have
developed projects to preserve and promote the values of cultural
heritages. Many cultural heritages are invested in for conservation and
anti-degradation; many have been ranked and recognized as World
Cultural Heritages. As of August 2022, eight ones in Vietnam have been
recognized by UNESCO as WTCHs. That cultural heritages have been
attentively invested in by the State, and many items and works have been
preserved and put into exploitation and use has actively contributed to the
socio-economic development of the locality where there is a World
Heritage site, the material, cultural and spiritual life of the local people
thus being improved. However, the state management of cultural heritages


and World Tangible Cultural Heritages in Vietnam (hereinafter, the state
management of VWTCHs) remains much limited and ineffective.
UNESCO has recommended an urgency to fix it soon, or else the heritages
will be withdrawn from the list of World Heritage Sites.
On the other hand, in the context of increasingly deepening
globalization and international integration, the strong development of the
Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the digital economy, the state
management of culture and the WTCHs is also facing a lot of new
opportunities and challenges that require theoretical and practical research
to find effective orientations and solutions, contributing to perfecting the

state management of the VWTCHs.
Therefore, the PhD student chose the topic "State Management of
the World's Tangible Cultural Heritages in Vietnam" to study her doctoral
thesis, majoring in public management.
2. Research purposes and tasks
2.1. Research purposes
This thesis aims through its research to continue to improve the state
management of world tangible cultural heritages in Vietnam.
2.2. Research mission
(1) To review the literature related to the thesis topic; (2) To
systematize the theoretical basis and practical experience of state
management of WTCHs; (3) To survey, analyse and assess the state
management of VWTCHs between 2010 and 2021; (4) To synthesize
opinions and propose solutions for perfecting the state management of
VWTCHs in the coming period.
3. Object and scope of research
3.1. Research subjects
The research object of the thesis is the theory and practice of state
management of world tangible cultural heritages in Vietnam.
3.2. Research scope
- Regarding the research content: the scope of research was limited
to the content of state management of VWTCHs, which include: Building
and directing the implementation of strategies, master plans and plans for
WTCHs conservation and promotion; Promulgating and organizing the
implementation of legal documents on WTCHs; Consolidating the

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organization of the state management apparatus on WTCHs; Building and

developing a contingent of managerial and professional civil servants on
WTCHs; Supporting and mobilizing financial resources and facilities for
WTCHs conservation; Inspecting, examining and handling violations of
the law on WTCHs; and, Organizing and carrying out scientific research
and international cooperation in the field.
Regarding the research space: State management of VWTCHs was
studied in seven provinces and cities with WTCHs: Hanoi, Quang Ninh,
Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Nam.
Regarding the research period: The reality of state management of
VWTCHs between 2010 and 2021 was researched, investigated and
surveyed. Then, orientation was made to perfect state management of
VWTCHs in the coming period.
4. Methodology and research methods
4.1. Methodology
On the basis of dialectical and historical materialist methodology,
the PhD student interpreted the theoretical and practical basis of the state
management of VWTCHs according to objective dialectical logic
thinking in common relations. At the same time, she studied Ho Chi
Minh's thoughts and the Party's views on cultural heritages and WTCHs
in Vietnam.
4.2. Research Methods
The thesis is based on a combination of a number of specific
research methods: First, research of secondary literature; second, the
method of sociological investigation; third, methods of comparison,
statistics, analysis and synthesis; and, fourth, methods of processing
information and data.
5. Scientific hypothesis and research questions
5.1. Scientific hypothesis
State management of VWTCHs has achieved certain positive
results. However, WTCHs in Vietnam keep being degraded, infringed,

and over-exploited, and their values have not yet been promoted. The
main reasons involve slow concretization and implementation of the
institutions, an overlapping management apparatus, and an
underwhelming capacity of the management and professional staff on

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WTCHs; plus, financial resources and material foundations for heritage
conservation activities being inadequate compared to actual
requirements, and control activities remaing loose due to a lack of
coordination among state agencies. If there are good solutions with the
support of UNESCO, the state management of VWTCHs in the coming
time will be more complete.
5.2. Research question
Some key research questions are: How has the state management of
WTCHs been studied so far by organizations and individuals? What are the
theoretical bases and practical experience of state management of WTCHs?
How is the state management of VWTCHs currently being implemented?
What viewpoints, orientations and solutions should be based on in order to
improve the state management of VWTCHs in the coming time?
6. New contributions of the thesis
Firstly, the thesis has reviewed the research results of domestic and
foreign individuals and organizations related to the state management of
VWTCHs. Second, it has clarified and supplemented a number of concepts:
tangible cultural heritages, WTCHs, and, state management of WTCHs.
Third, the thesis has identified the contents of such state management,
which includes (i) Formulating and directing the implementation of
strategies, master plans and plans for WTCHs conservation; (ii)
Promulgating and organizing the implementation of legal documents on

WTCHs; (iii) Consolidating the organization of the state management
apparatus on WTCHs; (iv) Building and developing a contingent of civil
servants and public employees for WTCHs; (v) Supporting and
mobilizing financial resources and facilities for WTCHs activities; (vi)
Inspecting, examining and handling violations of the law on WTCHs; and,
(vii) Organizing and conducting scientific research and international
cooperation in the field. Fourthly, the thesis has studied the experience of
state management of the WTCHs from some countries, drawing valuable
lessons of experience for Vietnam. Fifth, it has identified the causes of
limitations in the state management of VWTCHs. Sixth, the thesis has
proposed eight solutions to improve the state management of VWTCHs.
7. Theoretical and practical significance of the thesis
7.1. Theoretical significance

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Firstly, the thesis has systematized and supplemented the
theoretical basis of state management of WTCHs. Second, it has clarified
the role and factors affecting the state management of the WTCHs,
thereby seeing the need to perfect the state management of the WTCHs.
Third, the research results contribute to the development of science
majoring in public management and, in particular, contribute to the
development of the theory of state management of culture and WTCHs.
7.2. Practical significance
Firstly, after analyzing and assessing the reality of state
management of VWTCHs, the thesis has made objective judgments,
evaluated results and limits, and identified the causes of limitations of the
reality. Second, the research can be used as a valuable reference for
managers and state agencies on cultural heritages and WTCHs in building,

perfecting and organizing the implementation of management tools, such
as laws, policies, organizational apparatus, resources. At the same time,
the thesis can serve as a reference for the research and teaching of state
management of cultural heritages; and it can serve as a reference for
countries with WTCHs.
8. Structure of the thesis
In addition to the introduction, conclusion, table of contents, list of
references and appendices, the main content of the thesis includes four
chapters: Chapter 1. Literature Review; Chapter 2. Scientific Basis for
State Management of WTCHs; Chapter 3. State Management of
VWTCHs; Chapter 4. Perspectives, Orientations and Solutions to
Improve the state management of VWTCHs.

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CHAPTER 1
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1. Research works related to the thesis topic
1.1.1. Studies on cultural heritages, tangible cultural heritages and
WTCHs
1.1.2. Studies related to the state management of WTCHs
1.1.3. Studies related to the eight WTCHs in Vietnam
1.2. Evaluating the literature and issues for further research
1.2.1. The literature contents
The group of research works on cultural heritages, tangible
cultural heritages, and WTCHs have (1) affirmed that cultural heritages
and WTCHs form a type of invaluable asset of nations and mankind; (2)
introduced some WTCHs in Asia; and, (3) specified the responsibilities of
agencies, social organizations and communities in preserving the cultural

heritages values and WTCHs.
The group of research works related to the state management of
WTCHs have discussed (1) Some legal provisions and guidelines for
implementation of the law on WTCHs; (2) The fact that state agencies
must closely monitor the process of conservation, restoration and
embellishment of cultural heritages and WTCHs; (3) Some experiences
in state management of cultural heritages and WTCHs in Asia; (4)
Limitations, weaknesses, impact factors and some solutions for state
management of cultural heritages and WTCHs.
The group of research works related to the eight WTCHs in Vietnam
have presented (1) Introduction to 630 tangible cultural heritages and
WTCHs in Vietnam and the world; (2) Evaluation of international
conferences and international cooperation projects on VWTCHs; (3) The
fact that the state management apparatus of VWTCHs has not been
uniformly organized throughout the country; the decentralization of
powers in the field remains yet incomplete and unclear; (4) The way
control is carried out to prevent and handle violations in the restoration
and embellishment of TCHs and WTCHs in Vietnam.
1.2.2. Results to be inherited
The thesis can inherit a number of research results on: deep and
diverse analyses of cultural heritages and WTCHs in Vietnam; the role of

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WTCHs in social construction and development; international experience
in state management of WTCHs; the reality of state management of some
WTCHs in Vietnam; and, some solutions for state management of
VWTCHs.
1.2.3. Issues for this thesis

Firstly, the thesis continues to study and supplement the concept of
WTCHs, state management of WTCHs, content of state management of
WTCHs, the role and factors affecting such management, and relevant
international experience. Secondly, it needs to do practical research to
survey and analyze the reality of state management of VWTCHs; to
assess the results and limitations; and, to identify the causes of the
situation. Finally, the thesis needs to synthesize views and orientations
and propose solutions to improve the state management of VWTCHs in
the new period in Vietnam.
Conclusion Chapter 1
Based on the review of related domestic and foreign research works,
the thesis has arrived at the following conclusions: First, the thesis has
reviewed the research results on cultural heritages, WTCHs, and state
management of WTCHs through a number of studies of domestic and
foreign individuals and organizations. Secondly, the research can inherit
some theoretical foundations when studying the state management of
WTCHs, some realities of state management of cultural heritages and
WTCHs in Vietnam, and some existing solutions for state management of
WTCHs. Third, the thesis continues to research, systematize and
supplement to clarify the theoretical basis of state management of WTCHs;
study the basic contents of the state management of WTCHs; study the
reality of state management of VWTCHs between 2010 and 2021;
synthesize the views of UNESCO and the Communist Party of Vietnam,
and orientations and objectives of the State; and, at the same time, propose
solutions to further improve the state management of VWTCHs in the
coming period.

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CHAPTER 2
SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF STATE MANAGEMENT
OF THE WORLD'S TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGES
2.1. Some basic concepts related to the thesis topic
2.1.1. Culture and cultural heritages
Culture is a broad social field, including a system of material and
spiritual values that most characterize the identity of the human
community, which is created and accumulated by the community in the
process of its activities. It is handed down from generation to generation
through the interaction between humans and the natural and social
environments.
Cultural heritages form a system of material and spiritual products
of historical, cultural and scientific value, created by nature and man,
accumulated and handed down from generation to generation in the long
process of history.
2.1.2. WTCHs
Tangible cultural heritages (hereinafter TCHs) involve a form of
existence of cultural heritages mainly in the form of objects with shapes,
heights, widths, weights, lines, colors, designs and existing in specific
space and time. TCHs include historical-cultural relics, scenic spots,
relics, antiquities and national treasures, with special rare and precious
values, typical of the country's history, culture and science.
World tangible cultural heritages are the tangible cultural heritages
of humanity or a country recognized, supervised and managed by
UNESCO. WTCHs include monuments, populations, landscapes, relics,
antiquities and national treasures of special international value in terms of
history, art, science and aesthetics, ethnography or anthropology
recognized and managed by UNESCO under strict standards of culture,
nature and integrity.
2.1.3. State management of WTCHs

State management is organized influence, regulated by state power on
social processes and human behaviors, conducted by organs of the state
apparatus in order to maintain and develop social activities, social relations
and legal order, through which to perform the functions and tasks of the State.
State management of cultural heritages is the organized and
regulated influence by state power on cultural processes and cultural

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activities of people, conducted by state agencies in charge of culture, in
order to maintain and develop cultural activities and relationships, through
which to perform the functions and tasks of the State in the management of
culture and cultural heritages.
State management of world tangible cultural heritages is a specific
area of cultural management, an organized influence regulated by state
power through various ways and tools of state management of WTCHs,
conducted by state agencies in charge of cultural heritages and at the same
time made compliant with the supervision, regulations and cooperation of
UNESCO on cultural heritages, in order to preserve and promote the value
of the WTCHs, serve the national development process, and meet the
requirements of material and spiritual needs of the people and the
international community.
Features of state management of WTCHs
(1) The subjects are competent state authorities, the objects are
WTCHs, and the management is aimed at organizations, individuals and
businesses that have activities related to WTCHs. (2) The legal basis of
such management is the legal system. State management of WTCHs is
conducted by law and through legislation. (3) It is carried out through
policy tools, apparatus, resources and control. (4) The management is

coordinated by many related ministries and sectors. (5) Management
methods are specific, flexible and appropriate. (6) All activities of such state
management must concurrently comply with the host country's laws,
regulations and international commitments, and be subject to strict
inspection and supervision by UNESCO and other relevant international
organizations.
2.2. Roles and factors affecting the state management of WTCHs
2.2.1. The roles of the state management of WTCHs
Firstly, it contributes to the orientation and adjustment of the
development of the national WTCHs, and the realization of views and
policies on the culture and WTCHs; Second, to contribute to their
preservation and promotion of their value; Third, to contribute to
promoting the socio-economic development of localities and regions with
such heritages, improving the people’s spiritual life; and, Finally, to play
an important role in the development of cultural tourism.
2.2.2. Factors affecting the state management of WTCHs

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First, institutions and policies on WTCHs; Second, the capacity of
the contingent of civil servants and public employees; Third, financial
resources; Fourth, integration and globalization; Fifth, economy and
environment; Sixth, development of culture and tourism industry;
Seventh, the residential community.
2.3. Contents of state management of WTCHs
2.3.1. Formulating and directing implementation of strategies, master
plans and plans to preserve and promote the value of WTCHs
Developing strategies for culture and cultural heritages is an
activity of the State, in order to concretize the Party's viewpoints on

cultural heritages and the WTCHs, through the identification of
objectives, tasks and solutions to accomplish the goals. It is the basis for
formulating master plans and plans to implement the objectives for the
WTCHs.
2.3.2. Promulgating and organizing implementation of legal documents
on cultural heritages and WTCHs
Legal documents on cultural heritages and WTCHs and guidelines
for implementation must be developed and promulgated with accuracy,
completeness and timeliness. This must strictly comply with the
regulations on the authority to issue documents by the Government, the
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST), the People's
Committees of the provinces and cities of the WTCHs (the PPPs).
2.3.3. Consolidating the organization of the state management
apparatus on WTCHs
The state management apparatus of WTCHs must be built
scientifically, rationally and neatly, then the management will be
conducted smoothly, otherwise it will be stagnant and inefficient.
2.3.4. Building and developing a contingent of civil servants and public
employees specialized in WTCHs
The contingent of cadres and civil servants specialized in state
management of the WTCHs must have sufficient quantity, high quality,
research ability, knowledge and understanding of policies and laws, and
practical experience in the field.
2.3.5. Supporting and mobilizing financial resources and material
facilities to preserve WTCHs
Investment and support for cultural heritages and WTCHs mainly come

10

from the state budget, ODA loans, foreign aids, other lawfully mobilized
capital and community contributions. In addition to monetary sources, they can
be in-kinds: machinery and equipment, technology, experts, training and
coaching. Financial resources and physical facilities for the operation of the
WTCHs must be allocated, managed and used in accordance with the Law on
Budget, the Law on Public Investment as well as international regulations (i.e.,
by funding sources, ODA, and financial funds).

2.3.6. Inspecting, examining and handling violations of the law on WTCHs
Regarding WTCHs, inspection, examination, supervision and
handling of violations are prescribed in Article 66 of the Law on Cultural
Heritages. In addition, they are subject to the inspection and supervision
by the UNESCO representative in Vietnam in accordance with the
commitments, agreements and provisions of the International Convention
on Cultural Heritages and other international agreements and is obliged
to comply with recommendations of UNESCO, if any.
2.3.7. Organizing and conducting scientific research and international
cooperation activities on WTCHs
Scientific research activities, application of new technologies, and
international cooperation have helped the state management to solve
many difficulties and problems in the conservation of WTCHs.
2.4. International experiences in state management of WTCHs and
lessons for Vietnam
2. 4.1. International experience in state management of WTCHs
First, the experience of Cambodia
Second, the experience of China
Third, the experience of Japan
2.4.2. Lessons for Vietnam
Lessons learned from Cambodia: Firstly, the Ministry of Education
and the National Agency responsible for the archeology of Angkor and

Apsara focus on educating secondary students about Angkor as a WTCH;
Second, the community’s awareness, strength and responsibility are
promoted, and people in the core and buffer zones of the heritage must
benefit economically through tourism projects; Third, international
cooperation has been utilized comprehensively; and, Fourth,
conservation goes hand in hand with sustainable tourism development.
Lessons learned from China: Firstly, inventory, classification

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and assessment of heritage have been conducted thoroughly; Second,
resources are focused on WTCHs conservation in the priority list
associated with large projects in parallel with socio-economic
development; Third, the capacity of professional and civil servants in the
state management of WTCHs are improved; Fourth, new scientific and
technological achievements are applied; Fifth, awareness of heritage
conservation is raised through the dissemination of outstanding common
values, authenticity and integrity of WTCHs; Sixth, theories on
conservation of WTCHs are summarized and developed; and, Seventh,
international cooperation is strengthened by hosting and organizing many
international conferences and seminars.
Lessons learned from Japan: Firstly, the state must take measures to
raise awareness of the people and the whole society; Second, the legal system
on WTCHs must be revised and completed in a synchronous, complete and
complete manner; Third, propagation, dissemination and education of the law
on cultural heritages must be carried out regularly and extensively, combining
propaganda with the promotion of images of WTCHs; Fourth, the structure
and operation of the state management apparatus of WTCHs are renovated;
and, Fifth, socialization resources are mobilized and strictly managed; a

cultural heritages conservation fund is established, and the State's control over
the use of social resources and the cultural heritages conservation fund is
strengthened.
Conclusion of Chapter 2
Firstly, this chapter has researched, added and clarified the concepts
and terms of cultural heritages, WTCHs, and state management of cultural
heritages, thereby supplementing and clarifying the concept of state
management of WTCHs. It has identified the subject, object, and
characteristics of state management of WTCHs. Second, the role of WTCHs
and the role of state management of WTCHs have been studied. It has
researched and identified seven factors that affect the state management
of WTCHs. Third, seven contents of state management of WTCHs have
been researched and concretized. Finally, the experience of state
management of WTCHs of some Asian countries (Cambodia, China,
Japan) has been studied and valuable lessons of experiences in state
management of WTCHs have been drawed for Vietnam.

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CHAPTER 3
THE REALITY OF STATE MANAGEMENT OF THE WORLD'S
TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGES IN VIETNAM
3.1. Overview of the WTCHs in Vietnam
3.1.1. The number of WTCHs in Vietnam
As of August 2022, eight cultural and natural heritages of Vietnam
have met the criteria and conditions to be recognized as a heritage of
outstanding global value according to UNESCO's regulations and have
been recognized by UNESCO as WTCHs in Vietnam. First is the Complex
of Hue Monuments, the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen

Dynasty, recognized by UNESCO as a WTCH in 1993. Second is Ha Long
Bay, located in Quang Ninh province in the Northeast of Vietnam, and
recognized by UNESCO as a WTCH for the first time in 1994 and for the
second time in 2000. Third is My Son relic site, built from the end of the
4th to the 13th century, located in Quang Nam province, and recognized by
UNESCO as a WTCH in 1999. Fourth is Hoi An Ancient Town, a bustling
international trading port in the past, a former major trading center of the
whole Southeast Asia, located in Quang Nam province, and recognized by
UNESCO as a WTCH in 1999. Fifth is Phong Nha - Ke Bang National
Park, located in Quang Binh province, and recognized by UNESCO as a
WTCH in 2003, and for the second time in 2015. Sixthl is the Imperial
Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi, the center of national power continuously
from the 7th century to the present, the capital city of five consecutive
dynasties (Ly, Tran, Le, Mac, Nguyen), and recognized by UNESCO as a
WTCH in 2010. Seventh is the Ho Dynasty Citadel, a magnificent and
unique relic of Dai Viet history and civilization (built in the late 14th
century and the early 15th century), located in Thanh Hoa province, and
recognized by UNESCO as a WTCH in 2011. Eighth is Trang An Scenic
Landscape Complex, a mixed world heritage, the first and only dual
heritage in Southeast Asia, located in Ninh Binh province, and recognized
by UNESCO as a world cultural and natural heritage in 2014.
3.1.2. Characteristics of the WTCHs in Vietnam
Firstly, eight WTCHs in Vietnam are all national monuments,
distributed mainly in the north and central regions. Second, the WTCHs
in Vietnam include cultural, natural and mixed heritages. Third, natural

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heritages as the WTCHs in Vietnam are very unique with biodiversity and

ecosystem diversity. Fourth, the WTCHs in Vietnam are often associated
with the capital of one or more different feudal dynasties. Fifth, the
WTCHs in Vietnam are usually small- and medium-sized, having been
damaged, seriously degraded or collapsed by nature, wars or humans.
Finally, the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex as the mixed type of
WTCHs is unique in Southeast Asia.
3.2. Analysis of the reality of state management of VWTCHs
3.2.1. Formulating and directing implementation of strategies, master
plans and plans to preserve and promote the value of VWTCHs
On the basis of the national strategies, MoCST and the PPPs
develop a national master plan on culture, cultural heritages, and WTCHs;
the master plan of local WTCHs of each locality, and at the same time
associated with the master plan for localities and regions. According to
the reports by seven provinces with WTCHs, all the eight WTCHs in
Vietnam have been included in the national master plan, approved 5-year
plans (2011-2015 and 2016-2020) and annual plans.
3.2.2. Promulgating and organizing implementation of legal documents
on WTCHs in Vietnam
According to statistics from the reports by ministries, industries and
provinces, there have been about 300 related documents issued to
concretize and organize the implementation of the task of preserving and
protecting cultural heritages and WTCHs. The People's Committees of
seven provinces and cities with WTCHs have issued regulations and plans
for management and protection of each heritage site.
3.2.3. Consolidating organization of the state management apparatus of
WTCHs in Vietnam
This research of WTCHs management units in seven provinces and
cities with WTCHs in Vietnam show that five out of the provinces/cities
have specialized cultural heritages management offices under the
Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (hereinafter, the CST

Department) while the other two provinces, Quang Binh and Quang Nam,
have not been established one. The Management Boards (or Centers) are
public non-business units implementing the management of local

14


WTCHs in three main forms: (i) three provinces (i.e., Hanoi, Quang Binh
and Thua Thien Hue) have their VWTCHs management units under the
PPPs; (ii) two provinces (i.e., Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh) have their
respective VWTCHs management unit under the CST Department; and,
(3) two provinces (Quang Ninh and Quang Nam) have their respective
WTCHs management units directly under the district People’s
Committees.
3.2.4. Building and developing a contingent of civil servants and public
employees specialized in state management of WTCHs in Vietnam
The Department of Cultural Heritages under MoCST has a staff of
29; the Cultural Heritages Management Division of the Hanoi CST
Department, 9 people; that of the CST Department of Ninh Binh province,
7 people; that of the CST Department of Quang Ninh province, 5 people;
that of the CST Department of Thanh Hoa province, 3 people; and, that of
the CST Department of Thua Thien Hue province is staffed by 6. In
contrast, the CST Department of the other two provinces (Quang Binh and
Quang Nam) haven’t got such a division.
According to the statistics of the Department of Cultural Heritages
under MoCST, the contingent of civil servants and public officials in the
cultural heritage sector currently under the monument management units at all
levels across the country totals about 4,000 people. However, human resources
in the cultural heritage sector are unevenly distributed, concentrated mainly in
big cities where there are many cultural heritages, especially those with

WTCHs. Their qualifications are not equal, either, as shown in the
following table:
Table 1: Number and qualifications of civil servants and public
officials of WTCHs management units in Vietnam, year 2021
N
o.

Name of WTCHs management units

Staff
(Person) Gradua
te

Education
Univ
ersity

Other

1

MoCST Department of Cultural heritages

31

29

1

1

2

Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center

180

32

90

58

15


3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Management Board of Trang An Scenic
158
15
51
Landscape Complex
Ha Long Bay Management Board

386
42
153
Ho Dynasty Citadel Heritage Conservation
53
5
18
Center
Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park
175
5
49
Management Board
Hue Monuments Conservation Center
700
63
315
Hoi An Cultural Heritages Management and
121
12
72
Conservation Center
My Son Cultural Heritages Management
140
11
53
Board
Total
1,944
214

802
Source: Author's compilation from the reports by the MoCST Department
Cultural Heritages and the CST Departments in question.

92
191
30
121
323
36
76
928
of

3.2.5. Supporting and mobilizing financial resources and facilities to
preserve WTCHs in Vietnam
The funds for conservation of VWTCHs come from the central and
local state budgets, socially mobilized sources, and international
supports.
The fund structure between 2010 and 2021 is shown as follows:
Figure 3.1. Structure of investment capital to preserve heritage
World Culture and Arts in Vietnam, period 2010 - 2021.
Nguồn xã
hội hóa
6.15%

Nguồn tài
trợ quốc
tế 7.16%
Ngân sách

trung ương
53.17%

Ngân sách
địa phương
33.52%

Ngân sách trung ương

Ngân sách địa phương

Nguồn xã hội hóa

Nguồn tài trợ quốc tế

Source: Compilation from the reports of provinces/cities with heritage sites,
and MoCST Department of Cultural Heritages

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3.2.6. To inspect, examine and handle violations of the law on
WTCHs in Vietnam
MoCST’s inspection and examination report shows that over 80%
of the inspections and examinations are conducted when there is a written
denunciation or feedback from the mass media. Consequently, the
heritages, having been already damaged, destroyed or renewed, are often
very difficult or even impossible to restore.
3.2.7. Organizing and conducting scientific and technological research
and international cooperation on WTCHs in Vietnam

Scientific research and international cooperation in the field of
cultural heritages and WTCHs in Vietnam have been initially focused
and expanded by relevant state agencies from central to local levels
since 1993, when Vietnam's first cultural heritage, the Complex of Hue
Monuments, was recognized by UNESCO as a WTCH.
3.3. Assessment of the reality of state management of VWTCHs
3.3.1. Achievements in state management of VWTCHs
Firstly, the work of developing strategies, planning, plans,
programs and projects has been attentively focused; Second, the system
of legal documents on VWTCHs is supplemented; Third, the
organizational structure of the state management apparatus in the field is
being consolidated; Fourthly, the civil servants and public employees
specialized in WTCHs have been given training and retraining; Fifth, the
state has focused more resources on restoration, embellishment and
protection of VWTCHs; Sixth, the inspection, examination and handling
of violations of the law on VWTCHs have been strengthened; Seventh,
scientific research and international cooperation in the field of state
management of VWTCHs have been implemented.
3.3.2. Limitations in state management of VWTCHs
Firstly, the development of a master plan for the system of
VWTCHs has not yet been implemented, only separate plans for each
have been developed. Second, the system of legal documents on
VWTCHs remains incomplete, and the implementation confusing. Third,
the organization of the state management apparatus of VWTCHs is not

17


reasonable at present. Fourth, the contingent of local civil servants and
public officials specialized in the field is always fluctuating, lacking in

quantity, and with limited professional qualifications. Fifthly, the
investment, mobilization, allocation and use of financial resources for
VWTCHs activities remain unreasonable and ineffective. Sixth, the
inspection, examination and handling of violations in the state
management of VWTCHs have not been proactive. Seventhly, scientific
researches in the field have not been applied much in practice.
International cooperation activities in the field have not been conducted
regularly and still passive.

3.3.3. Causes of limitations in the state management of VWTCHs
First, the development of the master plan and the implementation
plan for each VWTCH is not linked with the general socio-economic
development plan of the province, city or region. Second, the
promulgation and organization of implementation of the system of legal
documents on WTCHs remain slow, and many regulations have not been
concretized. Third, the organizational model of the state management
apparatus of VWTCHs is not uniform and inconsistent. Fourth, the
contingent of VWTCHs management and professional officials has not
yet met the requirements. Fifth, national financial resources have not met
practical requirements, and the mobilization of socialized resources has
not been given due attention. Sixth, inspection, examination and
supervision are not conducted regularly, and handling of violations not
strictly. Seventh, scientific research lacks incentive mechanisms while
international cooperation in the field has not been active. Finally, the
decentralization and coordination mechanism for state management of
VWTCHs remain unclear.
Conclusion of chapter 3
In chapter 3, the thesis has (i) generalized the VWTCHs in terms
of quantity, structure, characteristics and characteristics; (ii) clarified the
reality of state management of VWTCHs; and, (iii) assessed the reality. On

the basis of the seven contents of state management mentioned above, the
thesis points out the results and limitations in state management of
VWTCHs, also indicate the causes of the limitations.

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