The culture ministry is focusing on removing foreign-style objects from relic sites across the country, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien at a press conference on March 12.

According to the official, the ministry will pilot the efforts in Hanoi, central Nghe An province and the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho through July. Cultural researchers will be required to assess which dynasty the exhibit belongs to and where it was made.

The removal process will be executed carefully and in line with the Law on Cultural Heritages, as the objects have both cultural and spiritual values, Lien said.

At the same time, the sector will organise exhibitions to introduce Vietnamese-made items and encourage the creation of contemporary objects that feature deeply-rooted Vietnamese characteristics, she added.

Vietnam is now home to over 40,000 relic sites, including more than 3,000 national sites.

The sector has no specific data on relic sites with foreign objects. However, initial statistics revealed a higher prevalence in the northern region than in the south.

VNA