The history boys: Visitors admire objects on display at the exhibition Asia – The Colourful Cultures at the Viet Nam National Museum of History. — VNS Photo Truong Vi

HA NOI (VNS)— Representatives from various museums of 12 Asian countries shared experiences in managing museums and enhancing the role of museums in society at the biennial executive committee meeting of Asian National Museum Association (ANMA) hosted by the Viet Nam National Museum of History here yesterday.

Dozens of participants have widely discussed the theme "Museums Contributing to Social Changes", which is then divided into three minor topics namely Museum Make Contributions to Change Awareness on Preservation and Bringing into Full Play of Cultural Heritage, Museums and Heritage Tourism, and Education Role of Museums.

Researcher Nguyen Van Cuong, director of the Viet Nam National Museum of History, mentioned present issues, which confirm the important role of museum in society.

"We will invest more in upgrading exhibition facilities, training guides and further co-operate with tourism companies to draw more tourists in museum tours," he said.

Huang Zhenchun, deputy director of China National Museum, highlighted the role of museums while engaging with historical relics sites. At various big historical sites in China, there are museums displaying objects unearthed, with full information on the objects as well as their cultural values.

He said in China, people always flock to museums in relic sites during holidays, which has promoted developing museums in the country.

Executive participants also discussed establishing a common fund to support co-operation among museum members and other administration procedures as well as running a web site, from which audience can gain closer access to association members.

Such an official website has been managed by Viet Nam, who chairs this term [2012-13]. The next term chairman will be Alan Chong, director of Singapore's Asian Civilisations Museum.

ANMA is constituted of 12 member nations including China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam.

On the same day, an exhibition titled Asia – The Colourful Cultures featuring a number of cultural heritage about people, history and culture of member nations of ANMA was opened.

The artefacts, which are made of various materials including bronze, ceramic, stone, wood, silver, gem and ivory, are mainly selected from the collections of the Viet Nam National Museum of History, some others were provided from other museums in the country.

Addressing the exhibition opening ceremony, deputy culture minister Dang Thi Bich Lien, hoped the ANMA would continue developing and offer effective support to other museums in Asia, including those in Viet Nam, to bring into full play the museums' role in society to enhance Asian identity, integration, development and prosperity.

The exhibition will be open to public at the Viet Nam National Museum of History, 1 Pham Ngu Lao Street, till next January. — VNS