The National Assembly Standing Committee on December 13 agreed in principle on the Government’s regulations on galleries and exhibitions as well as the establishment of Ninh Cuong township in the northern province of Nam Dinh.

Mai Tien Dung, Chairman of the Government Office, delivers the government’s reports on the proposed law regulating exhibitions and museums, and the establishment of Ninh Cuong township

The Government’s report, based on partial data from 44 of 63 provinces and direct-controlled municipalities, showed that in 2013, 499 galleries and exhibitions were held nationwide. The number rose to 589 in 2014 and 694 in 2015. Last year’s estimated figure was 385, as only 27 out of 63 provinces and cities recorded this data.

Currently, regulations on galleries and exhibitions are contained in several legal documents, for example, the Law on Commerce regulates market fairs, the Law on Heritages provides for provisions on exhibitions and galleries in museums, in addition to several others concerning print publications gallery, photography exhibitions and art galleries.

The committee agreed that as Vietnam deepens international integration, more diverse galleries and exhibitions – in terms of forms, content and organisers – have emerged, necessitating regulations.

The proposed decree regulating exhibitions and galleries contains 20 items in four chapters.

NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong asked the Government to be more specific about State management in the decree and who is responsible for managing and monitoring exhibition and gallery activities.

In the December 13 session, the NA Standing Committee also unanimously voted for the establishment of Ninh Cuong township in Truc Ninh district of Nam Dinh province.

The township of Ninh Cuong is set to be the new name for the current Truc Phu commune. However, the changes will not be too disruptive, as the ‘Ninh Cuong’ epithet is familiar with Vietnamese people as Truc Phu commune used to be the capital of Ninh Cuong ‘tong,’ (tong is an administrative unit between commune and district, used in feudal Vietnam).

Some 99 percent of Truc Phu commune’s voters have voted in favour of the new name.

According to the NA Standing Committee’s legal committee, Truc Phu commune has met the three criteria required to set up a township, namely population, urban classification (area, political importance, urban infrastructure, etc.) and development.

NA Vice Chairwoman Phong asked that more qualified officials with at least bachelor degrees be appointed in the new township’s administration, or more training be given to current ones so they are “able to handle urban affairs management.”-VNA