France launches 18 billion VND project to support Vietnam in preserving heritage

On May 9, the French Embassy in Vietnam held a press conference to launch the cooperation project "Sharing and preserving Vietnamese Heritage".

The project receives funding of up to 18 billion VND for activities in the period 2022-2024 from the French Government and partners (museums, localities, universities). The objective of the project is to concretize cooperation between French and Vietnamese cultural agencies and organizations, to promote and preserve Vietnam's Natural and Cultural Heritages.

The project will implement many activities, including professional training for staff working in the museum sector in Vietnam. The training programs will be undertaken by experts from famous museums and universities in France. Cooperation between French and Vietnamese museums will also be enhanced through exchange field trips in France.

The French side will also help develop training programs on museum professions in universities in Vietnam: preserving collections, building exhibition content, arranging exhibition spaces, communicating content and welcoming the public to train teaching staff and create conditions for young Vietnamese people to better understand the field of museums.

Ms. Sophie Maysonnave, Counselor for Cultural Cooperation and Activities, said that the project will take place in three regions of Vietnam, specifically: Renovating the Visitor Center of Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh), supporting the Center for Communication and Environmental Education of Cu Lao Cham Marine Protected Area (Quang Nam), designing and implementing "Storytelling Boxes" for museums in Ho Chi Minh City.

“Storytelling Box” is a new and interesting form of media in France. This is a mobile tool, displaying a prominent museum artifact. Entering the “Storytelling Box,” visitors will hear stories surrounding this artifact, from which they will be curious and want to learn more about the museum.

In addition, other partners of the project include: National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Women's Museum, Hanoi University of Architecture (North); Da Nang Museum, Hue Fine Arts Museum, Museum of Royal Antiquities (Central); Southern Women's Museum, Hoa Sen University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture (South).

Mr. Denis Duclos - Director of External Relations of the French National Museum of Natural History said that the cooperative relationship between the French National Museum of Natural History and Vietnamese academic and scientific agencies has existed for a long time and has been nurtured in many different fields.

Sharing France's experience in heritage management, French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery said that the quality and conservation activities of heritage and museums have contributed significantly to making France a leading tourist destination in the world and positively contributing to economic growth.

“In 2019, the tourism industry contributed 211 billion euros (8.5%) to France’s GDP and impacted many economic sectors (accommodation, restaurants, transport, sales, museums, tour guides, etc.). Preserving and promoting heritage creates quality job opportunities and contributes to sustainable economic growth,” said Nicolas Warnery.

From there, the French Ambassador emphasized that Vietnam can also take advantage of its strengths from culture and heritage to develop its economy.

“Hanoi is one of the Asian cities with a valuable heritage of urban architecture. The city needs to strengthen the preservation and promotion of this strength in economic development. Recently, we have participated in providing technical support for Hanoi to preserve the villa at 49 Tran Hung Dao. In the near future, the project will renovate two more villas in the capital,” said Mr. Nicolas Warnery.