On the morning of September 22, 2023, Dr. Nguyen Van Doan - Director of the Vietnam National Museum of History host a reception for the delegation of Indian Embassy in Vietnam, headed by Mr. Subhash Prasad Gupta - the Deputy Chief of Mission and Mrs. Monica Sharma - Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center in Hanoi.
At the meeting, Mr. Subhash Prasad Gupta said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam has signed the extension of the memorandum with the Ministry of Culture of India on cooperation programs in the field of culture in 2022. It’s considered an important foundation for the Vietnam National Museum of History and the Indian Embassy to continue promoting cooperation activities in the future.
Panoramic photo of the meeting at VNMH
According to Mr. Subhash Prasad Gupta, in 2022, the two countries have completed a cooperation program in preserving and restoring three groups of Cham tower in My Son Sanctuary (Quang Nam province). Currently, the India - Vietnam joint team is carrying out three conservation projects in Thap F (My Son, Quang Nam), Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery (Quang Nam) and Thap Nhan (Phu Yen) Furthermore, Indian archaeological research institutions are particularly interested in Oc Eo culture (An Giang province). With the good results achieved through cooperation programs, Mr. Gupta hopes that the relationship between the two parties will be increasingly promoted.
Dr. Nguyen Van Doan giving a book published by the Museum to Mr. Subhash Prasad Gupta
Mr. Subash Prasad Gupta giving a souvenir toDr. Nguyen Van Doan
Refering to the cooperation programs on Oc Eo culture, Dr. Nguyen Van Doan said that Oc Eo culture is one of the most important themes for the research activity of the Vietnam National Museum of History. Through the research process, the museum determined that in addition to indigenous cultural elements, cultural interference is also clearly reflected, especially the strong influence of Indian culture. Therefore, Mr. Doan hopes that within the above cooperation framework, the Indian Embassy and the Vietnam National Museum of History can cooperate on issues of mutual concern.
India is known worldwide for preserving and promoting its Buddhist heritage. Therefore, the Museum’s director also proposed cooperation programs on training human resources for the field of preservation and restoration of Buddhist cultural heritage. Responding to a request for proposal, Mr. Subhash Prasad Gupta said that the Indian government has a scholarship program related to cultural heritage and will be willing to support the Museum's professional staff with appropriate training programs.
Taking memorial photo at the VNMH
The meeting took place in a friendly and open atmosphere. The both two parties look forward to continue and indeed increase fruitful cooperation in the future.
The delegation visiting the exhibition of VNMH
After the meeting, the delegation of Indian Embassy visited the permanent exhibition at Vietnam National Museum of History.
EN: Thu Hien