Amidst the modern pace of the coastal city, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture remains a space preserving the unique historical and cultural values of the Champa civilization. More than just a place to conserve precious artifacts, the museum also serves as a bridge between the past and the present, contributing to spreading awareness of heritage preservation within the community.
A Bridge Connecting Heritage
On the morning of May 18th, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, in collaboration with the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO), organized a scientific seminar with the theme "Heritage Bridge." The program was an opportunity for researchers and cultural experts to reflect on the museum's formation and development – from its early days as the Henri Parmentier Museum to its current role as one of the largest repositories of Champa artifacts in Vietnam.
Through presentations and academic discussions, the seminar not only highlighted the value of Champa heritage but also raised many issues regarding conservation efforts and promoting cultural values in a modern context.
Preserving Heritage from Indigenous Cultural Values
The spirit of heritage preservation and promotion is also what many mountainous localities are aiming for, including Trà Leng – where the Ca Dong, Xơ Đăng, and Mơ Nông communities still retain many unique traditional cultural features. From the sounds of gongs, the art of brocade weaving, to local products like Quế Trà Leng or Sâm Ngọc Linh, all carry cultural values closely associated with community life through many generations.
Although different in cultural space, the journey of heritage preservation in Trà Leng also shares a similar spirit with the message of the "Heritage Bridge" seminar: preservation is not just about retaining the past but also a way to create a foundation for sustainable development in the future.
Towards Development Linked to Identity
Currently, many localities are choosing to develop tourism linked to culture and indigenous resources to create livelihoods for the community. For Trà Leng, preserving traditional values alongside developing OCOP products, community tourism, and promoting local specialties is opening up many new opportunities. Cultural activities, research, and heritage connections like the seminar at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture not only contribute to spreading awareness of cultural preservation but also inspire regions rich in identity like Trà Leng to continue promoting their unique values.
From the Champa artifacts preserved in the heart of Da Nang to the scent of cinnamon and the colors of brocade in the highlands of Trà Leng, each heritage is a part of the cultural flow that needs to be preserved and passed on to future generations.
