Restoration of cultural sites is slipshod

With much of the cultural restoration work being carried out carelessly, some researchers are arguing that many projects are actually leading to heritage losses. Professor Tran Lam Bien, who has studied the preservation of cultural heritage for years and now works at the Cultural Heritage Department, explains why.

During the 4,000 years of the country’s history, each reign has left behind its own unique features. With each historical upheaval, some things are left while other things are lost. What do you think about the status of Vietnamese cultural vestiges at present?

Vietnam sits on the border area of Southeast Asia. Our culture is different from China, India and other countries, although they all had their influence. The state of cultural sites depends on environmental and historical conditions, as the country has historically suffered from wars and natural calamities.

In recent years, research has shown that many pieces of architecture and art were created during the wars. Wars have helped to unite our people who worked together on large-scale projects. For example, many temples were built during the Ly Dynasty when the nation fought against Chinese troops.

The main building materials were stone and wood, although only the stone buildings are still left from that era.

How about preservation efforts in the country now? Are they helping, and are they legal?

Well, actually they are the cause of my and my colleagues’ anxiety. It seems like cultural issues are being disregarded, and people seem to care only about religious issues. In some instances, preservation is actually destroying cultural sites.

A prime example is the Yen Phu Temple dating back to the 17th century in Ha Noi. I know that the temple has dragon-shaped relief work with knives thrown from the dragon’s eyes. Very few people know that the dragon is a symbol of praying for rain and knifes represent thunder. When the temple was restored, workers removed the knives, because they didn’t know of their significance.

Furthermore, Mong Phu Temple in Duong Lam Village, Ha Noi has many ancient tiger head seals used as decoration. Restorers in many instances drove nails to keep them fixed, but inadvertently put holes in the tigers’ noses.

When you look at a pattern, and you can see that it belongs to the Ly or Tran Dynasty, then I would say you are culturally aware. Only if you know the message it contains would I say you are knowledgeable.

I can show you dozens of relics that were wrongly restored. I consider each pattern at these sites the flesh and blood of our ancestors. If someone damages them, they aren’t only doing something illegal but also sinful.

We are currently carrying out a lot of restoration projects. Are they all necessary?

A relic needs to be restored when it is damaged by over 70 per cent. If not, we can preserve it by soaking or spraying chemicals to keep it in good condition. We don’t need to rebuild everything that we call heritage. The most important thing is to preserve what our ancestors envisioned, keeping them for as many generations as possible, because it’s of spiritual value to the nation. You can’t have a promising future if you forget the past. Heritage is strongly connected with national culture, society and history. Each piece of heritage reflects the development and decline of a period.

It has become a serious problem that cultural sites have lost value after being restored. As a researcher of cultural heritage, what do you think?

I’m surprised that more and more enterprises make bids to restore relics. The fact is that most applicants lack experience and knowledge of cultural heritage. When they win a contract, they hire workers to restore the relics. But who is guaranteeing the specialised knowledge and experience of these workers?

We, the researchers of the specialised department, are only a handful of people. How can we deal with hundreds of relics in the whole country?

When people don’t understand the hidden meaning of the relics, they just want to rebuild them, making them larger and newer. What do you think about this?

You’re right. Many people like the newness. It’s not necessary for a relic to look sparkling new. It’s ridiculous when a pagoda is painted annually.

I have visited many pagodas such as the Tu Ky Pagoda in Ha Noi. It is a large and sophisticated pagoda, but it seems strange to Vietnamese people.

For historical relics that have been recognised, restoration must be carried out carefully under the supervision of specialists. Authorities can revoke a site’s certificate if it is restored wrongly.

I realise that many chief monks and parish priests misuse their power when they decide to restore relics. While they are historical leaders, they are not the owners of the relics. Relics belong to the people and the country. Restoration must be approved by authorities and specialists.

You have studied many relics. Are you able to explain the ancient meaning hidden in the sites?

Once, I visited a temple and talked about it with local people. I asked them whether they knew anything about the temple but no one replied. Then I said, ‘I know some things, I can tell you what our ancestors whispered. I hear the sounds of thunder and rain. I feel the breeze from the trees. I hear prayers for good weather.

‘You know what? A pair of lacquered vermilion and gilded wood panels, and a horizontal lacquered board were how ancestors wished for good weather and crops.’

I explained that a dragon flying on clouds was a symbol to pray for rain. A big knife thrown from the dragon’s eyes meant thunder.

Hundreds of people were silent as they listened to me. Everyone grew excited to learn about the meaning of the patterns and message of their ancestors. I think that once they understand this, they will be more careful in preserving the sites.

What should be done as far as preservation work is concerned?

In my opinion, the preservation should be done regularly and over the long-term. It’s difficult to train labourers or teach them about traditional culture. So, each group of restoration workers should be instructed and supervised by a specialist who will be responsible for the quality of the work.