Museums take history to the country

Museums in HCM City are changing their way of doing business by taking exhibitions to the doorsteps of rural and suburban residents.

This week, the War Remnants Museum staff travelled to the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in District 7 to showcase collections of photographs, documents and objects related to Vietnamese soldiers.

The exhibitions highlight the deeds of women soldiers and heroines who lived and fought during the American War.

"We hope seeing mobile exhibitions like that will help youngsters learn more about the country's history and older generations, especially unknown soldiers and their contributions," said Huynh Ngoc Van, the museum's director.

A collection of historical photos and objects themed Memories of War and Vietnamese Children in War was also taken to labourers of Linh Trung EPZ in Thu Duc district.

They expect to lure 2,000 people to the the show over one week.

"Taking museums to the public, particularly in rural and remote areas, is our goal," said Nguyen Thi Hoa Xinh, director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum's HCM City branch.

Last year, Xinh's museum worked with local authorities to organise 14 exhibitions on different themes of history and culture.

More than 65,000 people, mostly young labourers living in rural districts, visited the events.

Xinh said that her museum and the provincial museum in Ba Ria-Vung Tau last month showcased several hundred photographs portraying President Ho Chi Minh.

It had a strong impact on many people, including youth, who to this day live a peaceful life thanks to the revolutionaries.

"My friends and I saw many images and documents displayed by the Ho Chi Minh Museum that gave useful information about Uncle Ho, who worked all of his life for the country's independence," said Huynh Thi Thao Trang, a migrant woman from Vung Tau City .

Xinh's staff will also open exhibitions that feature images and documents related to the heroic history of Con Dao Islands . "We wanted to attract both local and foreign visitors to Con Dao," she said.

According to the HCM City Museum 's director, Duong My Thu Huyen, her employees this year will tour around the region, visiting remote areas in Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Can Tho.

They will take collections of documents and artefacts called Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel)- The Islands of Vietnam, she said, adding: "We hope these objects do not just entertain but also educate local youth."

Her museum has also worked closely with schools and universities in the city and other provinces to organise mobile exhibitions of documentaries, images, artefacts and objects that have provided visitors knowledge of Vietnam 's history and people./.