Stories of the relic caretakers

Phu Tho—the land of national origins—is home to more than 1,064 valuable historical and cultural relics. In recent years, efforts to enhance the management, conservation, and promotion of these relics at the grassroots level have increasingly relied on the silent contributions of a dedicated group of elderly custodians and incense keepers—the “permanent” guardians of heritage sites. However, behind their quiet dedication lies a story still marked by challenges, particularly in securing their rights and clearly defining responsibilities.

At Dao Xa Communal House—a nationally recognized historical and cultural relic—the festival and protection committee consists mostly of elderly members, making the task of safeguarding the site increasingly difficult.

Silent contributions

What can you buy with VND 36,000 at today’s market rates? Not much. Yet for Mr. Tran Xuan Trach of Dao Xa Commune, Thanh Thuy District—a “prisoner and village chief,” as he humorously describes himself—that is the monthly support he has received for over 20 years while serving as the caretaker of the Dao Xa Communal House relic cluster (recognized as a national relic in 1974) and Dao Xa Temple (ranked at the provincial level in 2004). This modest allowance has remained unchanged since the province was re-established in 1997.

A war veteran with a 75% disability, Mr. Trach, despite his deteriorating health, has long been committed to caring for these local relics. His daily tasks include cleaning, lighting incense, and guiding residents and visitors who come to worship and pay their respects.

Speaking with Phu Tho Newspaper reporters, he shared, “The amount of support doesn’t matter. What matters is that the villagers trust me. As long as I’m needed, I’m willing to protect and preserve these cultural treasures. But now, I’m getting old, and in recent years, there have been several cases of antique theft. Thieves have broken into the village’s relics twice. Although the damage was not severe, the relics are spread out and located in quiet areas, making security a major challenge. It’s hard to find more people for this job. Those who are physically fit are busy with work, and those who have time and knowledge are in poor health. This job isn’t hard, but it’s time-consuming—constantly being on watch, preventing theft, and cleaning meticulously. Despite our efforts, we still haven’t found anyone new to take on this responsibility.”

Mr. Trach’s story is not unique. Across the province, many relics are overseen by a single elderly individual—often responsible for two to three sites. Age, health limitations, and deteriorating infrastructure further compromise the ability to ensure safety and security. Many relics do not have any official caretakers, and for those that do, the level of support is far from adequate. The current situation—where some sites have protection while others do not—has exposed significant gaps in policy and enforcement. As a result, local authorities struggle to set even basic expectations for caretakers, such as physical health, relic knowledge, or artifact preservation skills. When losses or damages occur, assigning accountability becomes difficult, directly impacting the safety and value of these relics.

Members of the festival committee at the Do Nghia Communal House, Temple, and Pagoda relic cluster (Son Vi Commune, Lam Thao District) take turns on duty to ensure security and order.

Strengthening heritage protection through incentives

Relics are not merely community assets—they embody the cultural essence of our ancestors and are spiritual centers for generations. Thus, caretakers do far more than light incense—they are the first line of defense, protecting valuable artifacts and religious objects. When relics or antiques are damaged or degraded, it is these individuals who detect and report the issues. When intruders threaten to steal antiquities, they act as the first shield. Ensuring their rights and well-being is not only an expression of gratitude for their contributions but also a way to encourage accountability and boost the effectiveness of relic protection.

Acknowledging the growing challenges in relic management, the 9th session of the 19th Phu Tho Provincial People’s Council approved Resolution No. 14/2024/NQ-HDND, issued on December 11, 2024. This resolution stipulates financial support for those directly involved in the supervision and protection of state-ranked historical and cultural relics. Under this policy, support is allocated from the provincial budget and integrated into district-level estimates and annual relic management funds. Caretakers of national-level relics will receive VND 700,000 per site per month, while those at provincial-level sites will receive VND 500,000.

This funding is directed at individuals directly responsible for relics that are either non-revenue-generating or whose available income from donations or sponsorships is insufficient. In cases where a relic generates enough income to support its caretakers, the relic management board is expected to allocate funds accordingly, ensuring at least the minimum level set by the state.

Many festival committees have proactively installed fire prevention and firefighting equipment at relic sites.

Phu Tho currently has 1,064 relics and ruins, of which 328 are officially recognized: one special national relic, 73 national relics, and 254 provincial relics. These historical sites—considered cultural treasures—reflect the proud legacy of local communities and the enduring spirit of generations. Protecting and preserving these relics is a collective responsibility—not only of government authorities but of society as a whole. In many areas, the work has benefited from increased public awareness and socialized resources.

Mr. Nguyen Van Huan, Head of the Festival Committee for the Do Nghia Communal House, Temple, and Pagoda relic cluster (Son Vi Commune, Lam Thao District), shared, “To safeguard the relics, local residents have voluntarily contributed funds to install surveillance cameras and worked with the commune police to ensure security. We also provide incense offerings and monthly stipends of VND 300,000 for our caretakers. To enhance their skills, our board holds regular meetings, assigns shifts to monitor security via camera, and enrolls caretakers in fire prevention and artifact preservation training sessions organized by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. As a result, for many years, we’ve had no incidents of theft or fire at our relic sites.”

Providing material support and recognition for caretakers is not only a form of encouragement—it is an essential strategy to raise awareness and foster responsibility among those working tirelessly to preserve cultural heritage. When their rights are protected and their daily struggles acknowledged, their dedication deepens. In addition to fair compensation, training programs should be implemented to equip this team with knowledge on heritage protection, complemented by regular public education campaigns to engage the broader community in conservation efforts.

Let the untold stories of those who preserve the “soul” of history become shared narratives—stories that call on all of us to join hands and protect our national heritage, ensuring its endurance for future generations.

Bich Ngoc