211 degraded vestiges being repaired and embellished
In 2013, according to summary of vestige repair costs, Hanoi spent more than one thousand billion VN dong on 221 vestiges located in the city.
Mong Phu communal house, Duong Lam ancient village
Currently, Hanoi has totally 5,175 vestiges, the highest number across the country, 2,209 of which have been ranked (occupying 42.65%).
According to the statistics of Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in 2012, Hanoi had around 600 severely degraded vestiges, which need restoring and depend on the socialization source.
The caused of degradation is explained as due to building long-ago, undergoing historical ups and downs, impact of nature and human beings. The restoration of the vestiges cannot be refused, however the mobilization capital is quite a problem.
Apart from 12 vestiges under the city management, the management, repair, embellishment of others is of the responsibility of People’s Committee of districts and towns. As regulated, the state budget supports not more than 60% of total investment capital for repairing original vestiges, the remaining amount shall be attracted from socialization sources by the localities. During the restoration and embellishment, the localities actively mobilize socialization sources to realize the other 40%.
In solely 2013, the city mobilized more than 1,027,546 million VND to repair 221 vestiges in 29 districts. The state budget is 612,228 million VND, the mobilized socialization source is 415,318 million VND.
Dong Anh has the largest number of repaired vestiges, 40 ones with total expense of 31,141 million VND. Son Tay town is one of the localities with large number of vestiges. According to the statistics in 2013, in the town there are 188 vestiges, religious buildings, belief serving facilities and over 300 ancient houses. Total ranked vestiges are 68, 15 of which are ranked national level, the other 53 are ranked provincial and municipal level.
Mr. Hua Duc Thinh, Head of Culture Section of Son Tay town, said that Duong Lam ancient village and most vestiges of the town have been built long ago but not ever repaired and embellished, which results in their degradation. Specifically, Ngo Bac Pagoda, Ngoc Kiem pagoda (Co Dong commune), Cam Thinh communal house, Doai Giap in Duong Lam ancient village, etc. should be repaired and embellished as soon as possible.
According to Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in 2013, the conservation and embellishment of cultural vestiges exist, despite many efforts, certain shortcomings, such as poor supervision, direction, management on the implementation, which results in the violation of heritage law.
Therefore, Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism determined to enhance public administration on heritages based in Hanoi in 2014. Clearly determine role, responsibility, and improve public administration capacity of People Committee of districts, towns, wards with regard to vestige management.
Hanoi also sets target for 2014 to complete inventory work on vestiges and intangible heritages in the whole city. Accelerate the progress of collecting artifacts for display in Hanoi Museum; apply science and technology in managing vestiges, artifacts, antiques, precious books and documents.
Huy Anh
