Instruction on submitting and preparing the application for recognition of a national treasure in Vietnam

Instruction on submitting and preparing the application for recognition of a national treasure in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What documents should be included in the application for recognition of a national treasure in Vietnam?

- Artifacts being relics or antiquities shall be submitted to the Prime Minister of Vietnam for recognition as national treasures if they meet the criteria specified in Clause 21, Article 1 of the Law amending the Law on Cultural Heritage and have been registered under Clause 22, Article 1 of the Law amending the Law on Cultural Heritage.

- Artifacts in dispute over ownership may only be submitted to request for recognition as national treasures after the legal ownership or management rights have been clearly identified.

- artifact application of application for recognition of national treasures (hereinafter referred to as artifact application) include:

+ An explanation of the artifact requested for recognition of a national treasure, clearly stating the characteristics of the object according to the criteria specified in Clause 21, Article 1 of the Law amending the Law on Cultural Heritage (Form No. 1);

Form No. 1

+ Photos: 01 overall image and 01 detailed specification photo (color image, size 9cm x 12cm or more), fully captioned, ensuring to show the basic characteristics of the object. It is encouraged to include photos stored on digital media;

+ Sound and video recordings (if any) must have clear sounds and images showing the uniqueness of the artifacts (recorded on tapes or discs);

+ Copies, stamps (if any), and translations for artifacts that are books, documents with ancient characters, or artifacts with decorative patterns, with written words shown on the objects;

+ Other related documents to artifacts (if any) include: Articles about artifacts; witness testimony for artifacts of historical value; and certificates of registration of relics and antiquities.

- Application for artifacts is made into 04 sets:

+ 01 set of records kept by the organization or individual making the dossier;

+ 03 sets of dossiers to be sent to competent agencies to request recognition of national treasures as prescribed in Article 3 of this Circular.

- Organizations and individuals that are owners of or assigned to manage artifacts are responsible for making dossiers of artifacts to request recognition as national treasures.

artifact application must ensure accuracy, truthfulness, and professional requirements during the process of carrying out procedures for applying for recognition of national treasures.

- The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism is responsible for guiding organizations and individuals to compile an in-kind dossier at the request of the organization or individual.

(Article 2 of Circular 13/2010/TT-BVHTTDL)

2. Submission of application for request recognition of national treasures in Vietnam

(1) For the national museum:

The National Museum sends a written request (Form No. 2a) and the exhibit file to the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism together with the written appraisal opinion of the Scientific Council of the museum (or other museum boards concerned with the artifact).

(2) For specialized museums:

- Specialized museums under ministries, branches, political organizations, and socio-political organizations at the central level send a written request (Form No. 2a) and application for artifacts to the heads of ministries, branches, political organizations, and socio-political organizations at the central level, which are the managing units of the museum, accompanied by a written appraisal opinion of the scientific council of the museum (or other councils of the museum related to the artifact);

- Specialized museums belonging to units under ministries, branches, political organizations, and socio-political organizations at the central level send a written request (Form No. 2a) and application for artifacts to the head of the agency or organization directly managing the museum, together with the written appraisal opinion of the scientific council of the museum (or other museum boards concerned with the artifact);

Within 10 days from the date of receipt of the in-kind dossier and related documents, the head of the agency or organization directly managing the museum is responsible for considering and deciding on the sending of the request, the exhibits and related documents to it to the heads of ministries, branches, political organizations, and socio-political organizations at the central level that are the governing units of the agency or organization;

- Within 10 days from the date of receiving the written request, the in-kind dossier, and relevant documents, Ministers, heads of branches, political organizations, and socio-political organizations at the central level shall consider and decide on the sending of written requests, artifact application, and related documents to the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam.

(3) For provincial-level museums, relic management boards or centers, non-public museums, organizations, and individuals that are owners of or are lawfully managing artifacts:

- Provincial-level museums, relic management boards, or centers shall send a written request (Form 2a) and material records to the Director of the local Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism;

- Non-public museums, organizations and individuals being the owner or lawfully managing an object, send a written request (Form No. 2b) and an artifact application to the Director of the local Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

- Within 30 days from the date of receiving the written request and the in-kind dossier, the director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall have to organize the appraisal of the artifacts and the artifact application;

- Within 10 days from the day on which the appraisal result is available, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall decide on the sending of a written request and the artifact application, and related documents to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee;

- Within 10 days from the date of receipt of the written request, the artifact application, and relevant documents, the President of the provincial People's Committee shall consider and decide to send the written request, the artifact application, and related documents to the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam. 

Form No. 2a

Form No. 2b

(Article 3 of Circular 13/2010/TT-BVHTTDL)

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