According to Ms. Hoang Thi Kim Oanh, Director of Hue City Library, this plan allows for expanding the scale and creating favorable conditions to build a more comprehensive, scientific, and synchronized database system for Han - Nom archives in the area. “This will be a valuable source of materials serving research, education, restoration, and the promotion of Hue’s cultural heritage in the coming time,” said Ms. Oanh.
Madam, over the past 10 years, how has the work of collecting and digitizing these documents been carried out?
Over the past 10 years, Hue City Library has focused on carrying out this work in villages, family lineages, and private homes, places that still preserve many precious documents, to help conserve, safeguard, and promote the value of Han - Nom documentary heritage of Hue Ancient Capital. This work has not only received attention and guidance from authorities at all levels, along with the cooperation and support of agencies, localities, and researchers, but has also been met with active participation and contributions from the people.
In recent years, this work has been clearly successful, particularly with the application of digital technology in preserving documentary heritage, laying the foundation for broader connecting, and sharing this document resource with the community.
Although a large volume of documents has been collected and digitized, our research shows that many documents are still deteriorating, damaged, or lost due to the effects of weather and natural disasters, as well as limited preservation conditions and improper storage methods used by the people.
Could you provide more details; and, evaluate the volume of Han - Nom documents that have been collected?
To date, the library has digitized nearly 500,000 pages of materials, corresponding to about 6,000 titles collected from villages, family lineages, private homes, and residents throughout Hue City. Many of these documents hold special value in terms of history, culture, and heritage. All collected documents have been carefully classified, cataloged, and preserved, and they have also been developed into publications and specialized books to serve the research needs of readers, scholars, and those interested in Han - Nom heritage.
Although some locations have yet to be surveyed, the unit has developed a specific plan to continue implementing in the coming period, aiming to supplement, complete, and expand the scope of collection, ensuring the comprehensiveness of the documents.
It can be said that the results achieved in recent years have been highly appreciated by management agencies, researchers, and a wide range of readers. This is not only the outcome of the persistent efforts of the library staff but also the collective contribution of the community in preserving the homeland’s heritage. This success serves as an important motivation, helping the library continue to improve the quality and expand the scope of preservation work, promoting the value of Han - Nom archival collection, one of the precious heritage resources of Hue Ancient Capital.
What about the Han - Nom documents that are still inaccessible, madam?
Currently, many Han - Nom documents are still scattered across family lineages, villages, private homes, and among the people, making access, cataloging, and collection very difficult. Additionally, some materials have been deteriorated, damaged, or lost due to the effects of weather and the environment, as well as unsuitable traditional preservation methods, which affect the quality and integrity of the documents.
Furthermore, the work of collecting Han - Nom documents is also affected by human factors. Some document owners have not fully recognized the historical and cultural value or the significance of digitizing the documents, so there remains a sense of hesitation or reluctance to cooperate in allowing access, copying, or use of the documents.
Recognizing the urgency of preserving the resources of Han - Nom documents, the unit proactively advised the Department of Culture and Sports to submit a plan for the period of 2026 - 2030 to the City People’s Committee, which has been approved. The goal is to promptly carry out activities of collection, digitization, preservation, restoration, and value promotion for materials at risk of damage, deterioration, or loss. Priority will be given to surveying, assessing, and implementing initiatives in localities, family lineages, and private homes that were not accessed in the previous phase, ensuring the comprehensiveness and continuity of the collection work.
At the same time, efforts will be made to promote the application of digital technology and specialized equipment in managing, preserving, and enhancing the value of the materials; improving the quality of the digital database to effectively serve research, reference, and publication work. In particular, the unit focuses on community outreach and advocacy, helping residents, family lineages, and document owners better understand the historical and cultural value, as well as the significance of preserving this heritage. As a result, they are encouraged to proactively cooperate, share, and agree to allow digitization, use, and promotion of the materials.
The unit also strengthens coordination with management agencies, Han - Nom experts, research institutions, and local authorities to mobilize social resources, creating favorable conditions for preserving, publishing, and promoting the value of Han - Nom documents to the wider public, thereby making a practical contribution to the preservation and promotion of Hue’s cultural heritage.
How has the value of the documents that the unit has collected and digitized so far been promoted, Madam?
After completing the collection and digitization work, the unit places special emphasis on promoting the value of the Han - Nom documents to bring the heritage closer to the community and effectively support research and learning activities.
First, the library systematically catalogs and classifies all the collected documents; at the same time, it takes the lead in coordinating the compilation, translation, and publication of many valuable publications and thematic collections. These publications not only help preserve the documentary heritage but also provide a valuable reference source for scholars, researchers, and interested readers.
At the same time, the library organizes numerous activities such as exhibitions, displays, presentations, discussions, and professional seminars to promote the value of Han - Nom materials to the public. Notably, all the documents have been professionally processed and cataloged in the integrated electronic library management software Emiclib, allowing readers to search and access information online at https://thuvien.hue.gov.vn.
These activities not only contribute to promoting the Han - Nom intellectual heritage but also help raise social awareness of the value of ancient documentary heritage, fostering a sense of preservation and appreciation for traditional cultural values. Through this, the role of Hue City Library in conserving and promoting the cultural documentary heritage of the ancient capital is affirmed.
In the future, in your opinion, is it feasible to establish a museum dedicated solely for Han – Nom documents in Hue?
I believe that establishing a “Han - Nom Documentary Museum” is both feasible and necessary in the current context. If implemented through socialization, as a non-state museum model, this would be a promising new approach, contributing to the introduction, exhibition, and dissemination of the unique value of Hue’s Han - Nom heritage to a wide audience both domestically and internationally.
From the library’s side, we are ready to coordinate, accompany, and support the relevant units in the process of building and operating this model. The goal is to create a specialized cultural and academic space where residents, scholars, and visitors can experience, study, explore, and interact directly with the rich Han - Nom collection, which has been digitized and scientifically preserved.
The establishment of a “Han – Nom Documentary Museum” will not only help raise social awareness of the value of ancient documentary heritage, but also affirm the status of Hue as a heritage city and cultural center of Vietnam. At the same time, it would create opportunities for Han - Nom heritage to serve as a resource for sustainable cultural, educational, and tourism development in the future.
Researchers as well as those who are passionate about exploring cultural and historical heritage through Han - Nom materials are eagerly hoping that these documents will be digitized and made available on digital platforms for easier access. What is your opinion on this?
This is an inevitable trend in today’s era of digital transformation. Digitizing Han - Nom materials not only expands access for researchers and the public who are passionate about cultural and historical heritage but also contributes to the safe preservation and sustainable promotion of the value of this precious documentary heritage.
We are gradually building a specialized digital database for Han – Nom documents, aiming for integration with online search platforms, the electronic library portal, and open data spaces. However, this process requires strict adherence to copyright, authenticity, and information security standards, so the release of materials must be carried out according to an appropriate roadmap and in compliance with professional standards.
Thank you for the conversation!
* Han - Nom: Sino-Vietnamese demotic characters