Monuments would be much safer if children were taught more history

Monuments would be much safer if children were taught more history

Last week, Viet Nam News asked members of the public how best to protect its national treasures. Here are some of the opinions we received:

Graham Bassett, London, UK

Two things stand out from my first trip to Viet Nam. First was the hordes of people clambering over furniture that was part of the former emperor Bao Dai’s estate. The second was when I visited a cave and read that the artefact in front of me was very old.

In both cases, I just couldn’t believe that such treasures were unguarded and that people could do what they like with them – even to the extent of scratching their names on them or proclaiming their undying love.

People might well scoff at the idea of preventing such treasures from being damaged, but when these artefacts are destroyed, as they will be, Viet Nam will be the poorer for it. Certainly, here in the UK, a lot of time, effort and money is put into the protection of our history.

And let’s face it, a country that cannot point to its history, good or bad, is a country without a soul. Having monuments from the past connects that history to its people, which is why national treasures should be kept in good condition.

What bring visitors from overseas to a country? Vandalised items on show? I don’t think so.

At the end of the day, education is the only thing that will change the current mindset of some people. Protecting relics should go hand in hand with displaying them. Maybe a course on respect for other people’s property, whether it is personal or owned by the State, would not go amiss.

Keith Halstead, London, UK

I lived in Ha Noi for several years and noticed an increase in graffiti around the city. This is a problem which affects many countries and unfortunately there is no easy solution.

Next week:

Viet Nam plans to invest heavily in education. It wants at least five of its current 376 universities, institutes and colleges to be of international standard by 2025. The country also wants those universities to be among the top 200 in the world. Viet Nam received a US$400 million loan from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to build the universities. It is estimated that each university will require a further investment of between $500 million to $1 billion. Where did you study? Are you satisfied with the education you received? In your opinion, what is an international standard university? Do you think Viet Nam should improve its existing universities before building new ones? We welcome your opinions. Emails should be sent to: opinion.vietnamnews@gmail.com – or by fax to 84 (0) 43 933 2311. Letters can be sent to The Editor, Viet Nam News, 11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi. Replies to this week’s question must be received by the morning of October 1.

Here in the UK for example, one of our most famous tourist attractions – Stonehenge – was a regular target for graffiti. The solution? Visitors are now kept about 10m from the stones – a shame because tourists can no longer touch them and get a real impression of their size and the atmosphere around them. It is a case of a few spoiling things for the many.

This of course is not a desirable solution and in many cases is not practical. So, what else can be done? Stopping graffiti completely is probably never going to be possible so efforts need to focus on reducing the instances in which it occurs. For this to happen, people, especially young people, must be aware that graffiti is unacceptable. When people are caught defacing public buildings and places of historical interest, they should be punished – and be seen to be punished.

The general public must also take responsibility for preventing graffiti – by stepping forward when they see it happening and saying something to the offenders.

Finally, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Department of Viet Nam could stop using terms such as “well-meaning graffiti artists.” Graffiti is a selfish, anti-social act of vandalism. That is the message that needs to sent to these “artists.”

Anyway, good luck to Viet Nam with solving this problem or with finding a cheap and effective cleaning fluid!

Heng Sokunthy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

It’s a shame but the situation is no different in Cambodia. I have seen lots of graffiti by young people, I guess, on the walls of temples and sculptures. What idiots! I shake my head whenever I see graffiti. They should be treasuring their heritage not ruining it!

Both the Government and the public are responsible for preventing it from happening. It’s not a question of imposing a law, its a question of education.

It is important to educate people from an early age to respect public property. At this age they are impressionable and will respond to what they are taught.

Gradually, they will learn to treasure public property and pass that message on to others.

Parents should also instil a sense of responsibility in their children and encourage them to appreciate the country’s history.

Ryu Hashimoto, Japanese, Binh Duong

I have visited many historical places in Viet Nam. Ha Noi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.

I feel very sad. There are many historical places in Viet Nam, as there are in my country Japan, but the young generation doesn’t respect their own history and culture.

It is similar in Japan. The younger generation are only interested in learning foreign languages and about foreign culture.

We have a law that makes it illegal to deface property.

The Government should encourage young people to learn about their history and culture from an early age and organise field trips to historical places. It should also make it illegal to deface public property. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn