Brian Jeffrey
National Assembly Establishes Cultural Heritage Conservation Fund
The National Assembly has approved changes to the Cultural Heritage Law, leading to the creation of a new Cultural Heritage Conservation Fund.
The purpose of this fund is to gather additional social resources aimed at supporting essential preservation initiatives that the government budget alone cannot fully address. The new law is set to begin on July 1, 2025.
During an explanatory presentation, Nguyen Dac Vinh, the Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Education, expressed widespread support for the Heritage Conservation Fund, which seeks to enhance resource mobilization for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage.
However, some voices raised concerns about the fund’s establishment and suggested that religious organizations should be permitted to form their own heritage funds.
The Standing Committee of the National Assembly pointed out that cultural heritage is a valuable asset for the Vietnamese population. Despite state funding and efforts to secure outside resources for preservation, outcomes have not met expectations.
Considering various political, legal, and practical aspects, the Committee backed the government’s initiative to create the Heritage Conservation Fund, a move that received strong support from the majority of delegates.
The fund is perceived as crucial for developing a system that draws more social resources to facilitate focused preservation activities that are necessary but exceed what the government budget can finance.
Funding for the Heritage Conservation Fund will derive from:
- Contributions, sponsorships, and assistance from both domestic and international organizations and individuals.
- Other legal financial sources.
- The fund will not receive any financial support from the state budget.
To enhance feasibility across various provinces and cities, the National Assembly Standing Committee revised the provisions, enabling the fund to target priority areas.
Chairpersons of the Provincial People’s Committees will have the authority to determine the creation of local Heritage Conservation Funds based on available resources and local demands.
