On the afternoon of October 3, 2023, the Vietnam National Museum of History (VNMH) had a meeting with preservation experts from Japan. The theme of the meeting is the application of ionizing radiation technologies to the preservation of museum artifacts.
The meeting was taken place in the presence of Dr. Nguyen Van Doan - Director of VNMH, MA. Nguyen Thi Huong Thom - Head of the Preservation Department and staffs of the Department of Communication and Foreign Relations. The Japanese team included: Prof. Tamikazu Kume - Da Lat University, Prof. Masakazu Furuta - Osaka Metropolitan University, Prof. Yuko Kumeda - Consultation For Fungi, Dr. Hirokazu Ando - Osaka Metropolitan University, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh - Da Lat University.
Panorama of the meeting
At the meeting, the museum representatives and Japanese experts discussed the application of ionizing radiation technologies to preserve cultural heritage in general and museum artifacts in particular, for example: using X-rays to understand the structure of woodblocks; using x-rays, gamma rays or electron beams to eliminate microorganisms and mold, etc.
The VNMH currently stores more than 200,000 documents and artifacts, many of them made of wood, paper or fabric, which are easily affected by microorganisms and mold. Therefore, on this occasion, Dr. Nguyen Van Doan proposed that the two sides establish a cooperation program aimed at using ionizing radiation technologies to preserve organic matter artifacts, giving immediate priority to artifacts requiring urgent preservation. Japanese experts agreed with the above proposition. At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to provide contact detail so that focal person from two sides can discuss avenues for cooperation. This meeting is considered the beginning of good cooperation for the future.
Taking memorial photo
The Japanese team visiting the exhibition of VNMH
EN: Thu Hien