On the morning of November 28, 2023, the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH) in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) held the scientific seminar "Improving the effectiveness of traditional education through cultural heritage in museums and relics”.
Participants of the seminar included Mr. Pham Dinh Phong - Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage; Dr. Le Thi Minh Ly - Vice President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association; Dr. Nguyen Van Doan - Director of VNMH; Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoan - Deputy Director of the VNMH; Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thanh - communication expert; representatives of the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, Museum of Ethnography, Center of Scientific and Cultural Activities - Temple of Literature; Son La Museum, Hai Duong Museum, Hai Phong Museum, Quang Ninh Museum, Nghe Tinh - Soviet Museum (Nghe An), Da Nang Museum, Dak Lak Museum; parents and teachers of many schools in Hanoi and local press agencies.
Panoramic photograph of the seminar
The scientific seminar aims to share methods and experiences on heritage education in domestic and international museums and relics. Thereby, the results of the seminar contribute to supporting the development of strategies and plans to develop appropriate heritage education activities, in order to improve the operational effectiveness of museums and relics.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoan presenting the report at the seminar
At the seminar, delegates discussed and clarified key issues such as: new approaches and methods of heritage education; practical results of heritage education activities at Vietnamese museums and relics; experience and solutions to improve the effectiveness of heritage education.
- Approaches and methods of education through heritage: delegates stated that it is necessary to have a multidisciplinary approach in education activities of cultural heritage, developing educational programs with the participation of experts from different fields; integrating heritage contents with the school curriculum; combine multiple senses in the process of research and building experiential educational activities at museums. At the same time, it is necessary to establish partnerships between museums and universities. The museum creates conditions for students to study and practice and students can contribute to the museum by creating new educational products or ideas to improve the museum's activities. Besides, it is necessary to focus on systematically researching professional contents for quality educational programs as well as training more professional human resources.
Mr. Dinh Mot - Director of Dak Lak Museum giving speech at the seminar
- Practical results of heritage education activities at Vietnamese museums and relics: the reports provided diverse information about traditional education activities through cultural heritage as well as experiential activities for different audiences. Some highly appreciated presentations titled "Diversifying educational activities at the VNMH"; “The combination of heritage education program with social activities for children in remote and border areas at Dak Lak museum”, “The combination of typical experience activities of local traditional crafts with educational activities at Hai Duong museum”, “The digitization of artifacts at Yen Bai museum - the foundation for developing experiential education programs”, “The effective combination of developing educational activities with communication at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum” and so on.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thanh presenting at the seminar
In addition, most museums and relics mentioned difficulties in human resources and facilities; limited funding for educational activities as well as digitalization and application of technology in heritage education. Some museums have neither focused on developing quality experiential education programs, nor have they organized regular educational programs.
Delegates participating in the educational program "Sounds of Ancient Bronze" at VNMH
- Experience and solutions to improve the effectiveness of heritage education in museums and relics: the participants came up with useful solutions and very specific and practical suggestions linked to practical operations as follows:
+ Raise awareness of the importance of heritage education and communication in attracting visitors.
+ Training to improve the quality of staff working in the field of heritage education.
+ Focus on building quality educational programs.
+ Research and propose appropriate policies and strategies to mobilize funding sources and socialize educational and communication activities of museums and relics.
+ Strengthen the cooperative relationship between museums, relics and schools, businesses, tourism and media agencies to jointly develop and bring quality educational products to the public.
In the afternoon, after visiting the thematic exhibition "Dong Son Echoes From the Past" and participating in the educational program "Sounds of Ancient Bronze" at VNMH, delegates continued to exchange and discuss how to organize a specific educational program at a museum and a relic. On the basis of absorbing these discussion opinions, museum and relic staff will gain knowledge and practical experience to build their programs more effectively.
Pupils participating in the educational program "Sounds of Ancient Bronze" at VNMH
EN: Thu Hien