Hue, Luang Prabang cooperate to preserve cultural heritage

Representatives from the Hue Relics Conservation Centre and the Luang Prabang World Heritage Office signed an agreement in Hue city on April 22 to promote cooperation in managing, conserving and preserving their cultural heritage.

The two sides agreed to share experiences in managing cultural heritage sites, organize cooperative programs and support areas of mutual concern such as heritage conservation, scientific, museum, and archaeological research, as well as services to promote the cultural values.

Both sides aim to cooperate in strengthening human resources for heritage management and conservation, as well as exchanging experts and professional skills and sharing information on laws, policies and research on the conservation and management of the world’s heritage sites and intangible cultural heritage.

They will also promote friendship and cooperation between Hue (Vietnam) and Luang Prabang (Laos) and establish a common relationship with Siem Riep in Cambodia.

Director of the Luang Prabang World Heritage office Buonnhang Phongvichit said that since it was established in December 1995, his office has been responsible for managing, preserving and developing Luang Prabang as a UNESCO World’s Cultural Heritage site.

The cooperation between the two cities will help Luang Prabang become a centre for tourism, culture, history and heritage research.

Logo contest winners get awards

The US General Consulate in HCM City yesterday, April 22, on the occasion of Earth Day, awarded prizes and certificates to the winners of a contest to design a logo for the Save the Dugong campaign.

The contest, which aims to raise public awareness in protecting the dugong, received about 300 entries between March 14 and April 12.

The dugong, a threatened manatee-like marine mammal with a limited coastal range from Australia through India, is nearing extinction in Viet Nam waters, according to a US General Consulate press release.

The top prize in the adult category was given to Le Dieu Bang, a professional designer in HCM City, and the first prize in the student category went to Doan Nguyen Hoang Lap, who attends the HCM City University of Architecture.

Marginal populations of the dugong have been verified off Phu Quoc Island and in the Con Dao Archipelago.

Overfishing and a lack of knowledge about the species, as well as an intermittently active trade in dugong meat on Phu Quoc Island, have presented real challenges to species survival. It is difficult to determine how many dugong are left in Viet Nam, according to the consulate.

Among the prizes handed out to winners were an Apple iPad Mini, Ipod Touch and Ipod Nano.
The youngest contestant was 10 years old and the eldest 65 years old. Most of the entries were from HCM City and Ha Noi.

Japanese craftsmen reveal secrets

Traditional skills from Japan's former imperial capital, will be introduced to the Vietnamese public in a series of events entitled Japanese Handmade Craft and Design from Kyoto.

Young craftsmen will be introduced through an exhibition, lectures and a workshop. Kyoto, the ancient capital, is famous for its traditional craft. Its artisans have been creating high quality products for generations.

The secret of how the time-honoured techniques are used to create inspiring new designs with contemporary international appeal will be revealed. The opening ceremony will start at 6pm tomorrow at the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange, 27 Quang Trung Street, Ha Noi.

Lectures by Japanese experts and workshops by Toru Tsuji, a "metal knitting" craftsman, will be conducted in Ha Noi and HCM City on May 7&9. Registration in advance is recommended for lectures and workshops.

Exhibition features royal objects

As many as 37 items used by the Nguyen Kings are on display at an exhibition in the ancient royal city of Hue in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

Highlights of the display include two gold vases weighing 3.5kg each, a set of silver cups and gold-plated chopsticks, trays and pots.

The antiques are part of the collection of Duong Phu Hien, a collector from Ha Noi who possesses more than 40,000 valuable artifacts including ceramics, bronzes, gold, silver, gems and cotton textiles.

At the exhibition's opening ceremony, Hien presented a gold-plated wooden table and a chair used by King Khai Dinh to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.

Morie Phuong, a Vietnamese Cambodian, also gave two ceramic sinks used by the Nguyen royal family to the museum. Nguyen Huu Hoang from Hue donated two antique swords.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA